(IC) Sif: The Broken Land

[Kio]

The guard with the bandana quavers. He glances back at the scuffle behind him, then at Pirella. He puts up his spear and places it onto his back. He shakes his head "I... I'm done with this madness. I'm sorry, sister. I don't know what I was thinking' to go along with Breck. Th' truth is, hes been paying us under the table to go along with him... up till now, it's been harmless enough, but..." he frowns. Obviously, deep down, he is indeed a religious young man. Seeing Pirella grip her holy symbol with such conviction seems to have really brought him to his senses.
"Listen, This mornin' Breck shows up with a rifle, and says-"

"Oi! Yew shut yer gob, Jarvin, or I'll shut it permanently! Git yer useless ass over here and 'elp me with 'dis witch!" Breck screeches, without taking his crazed eyes off of Scarlet.

Jarvin flinches, but doesn't move.

[JNAProductions]

Go on, run, little man. Run like the coward you are. Or do I need to hurt you some more? Scarlet says, grinning madly.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Intimidate check (should be doable without an action, right?) (1d20+5)[20]
With possible advantage, what with me kicking his butt and all: (1d20+5)[24]

If he decides to run, Scarlet will mock him some more, but let him go peaceably.

If he DOESN'T, Scarlet will ready an action to breathe fire, being careful to not hit ANY bystanders (breathing at an angle into the air if need be) but as many guards as possible.

(1d6+3)[9] Fire damage, with a DC 13 Dex save to halve it.

[Nettlekid]

Dorcaen rubs his chin, listening to the commoner's description of the guards' odd behavior.
"So what you're saying is that this is uncommon for these guards; they may be gruff but they wouldn't actively threaten innocent civilians? That's a touch curious, I wonder if there's more to this. These guards,
to whom do they answer? A mayor or a judge, a captain or general, a king? Who gives them their orders and punishes them if they act out? I wonder if they're doing these things because they were commanded to, or if they'll be severely chastised for acting out in this way.

But er, the situation here certainly seems to have escalated. I wonder, this group who have started fighting the guards, are they in danger of legal retribution? By my record there's been a count of lethal assault with incendiary magics by the Halfblood, assault with a lethal bladed weapon by the Human, assault and bludgeoning unto unconsciousness with a nonlethal weapon on the part of the Kenku, and theft of a government official's property on the part of the Tabaxi. Even if initially these guards were acting beyond their station, they seem to have a good case to exact judgment on these...vigilantes. Indeed, letting every fool with a blade run around deciding right and wrong and ignoring laws in place is what encourages a government to implement such militant guards in the first place. By your estimation, what is the punishment that these all can expect for what they've done so far? Incarceration? Execution?

In any case, both sides will need testimony by the witnesses gathered in the crowd. I'm having a hard time figuring out who's in the right in this situation, though..."

[Fishybugs]

Evan Kallam Human Paladin Evan frowns toward the group fighting the guards. "No, I'm not with them, though their interference is fortunate for you. I doubt I would have arrived in time to be of use without their intervention." He watches the scene unfold a little more before he turns back to Belthram. "Things appear to be calming down a bit. Is there somewhere I can escort you to file a complaint against the guard?"

[Kio]

In the crowd, The young, dark-haired man that Dorcaen is speaking to scratches his head a bit. "Well... th' guard 'ave become a bit of an ind'pendent entity of late. They'll take orders from the Head fer' sure, but the old Head is dead, an' the new one's but a boy. There's Fenris, the 'ead of the guard... an' then there's the City Counsel. They 'ave some sway 'oer th' guard fer' sure. I honestly don' know what'll 'appen. I've ne'er seen nothin quite like this 'afore. I know what Fenric would do, if'n 'e showed up. 'E'd throw every one of 'em in jail, including the blacksmith an' the guards. E's a hard ass fer' sure, but e' seems to 'ave the people at 'eart, unlike Breck."

Breck takes one look at the vicious look on Scarlett's face, shakes his head and turns tail "Screw dis!" He turns and tries to make a sprint for the northern exit of the square. In his hurry though, he doesn't notice the large chest plate of the Dragonborn who had just entered from that way. A resounding CLANG marked the contact of Breck's skull to the metal, shortly followed by the sound of Breck falling to the cobbles in a heap.

Belthran shakes his head, pointing past Evan towards the northern entrance to the square "Though I truly appreciate the idea, it seems as though the complaints department has already arrived."

"Cease at once!" A booming voice fills the square, demanding silence from the crowd. It sounds hilariously similar to the voice that Screecher mimicked earlier. Hushed for a moment, all eyes turn towards the northern road to the square, just as the towering Dragonborn in full plate mail steps out onto the cobbles, around the shivering mass that is currently Breck. He has red scales, and a brilliant red cape. It's not hard to see, both from his armor and his stature, that he is a guard, and one who clearly outranks the small group of guards you have been scuffling with so far. He also looks absolutely furious. His eyes quickly scan over the scene.

Breck, shivering and bleeding, still smoking slightly, groaning on the cobbles now. Magic vines curling around a limp guard, fallen beneath a kenku. Another guard, angrily throwing dirt and pebbles... at... The Tree of Duran?

"The next person to move an inch will be rather uncomfortably put to sleep. You" The Dragonborn points at the guard wearing the Bandanna, and at Pirella. "What is going on here?"

Jarvan grits his teeth, then looks at Pirella, and back at the other Guards. "Ah... Fenric... We..." he closes his eyes tight and decides to speak the truth "We were... Phelp was tryin' to attack Belthran sir. For personal reasons. Breck encouraged 'im. You know Breck, sir... an'-"

"I know Breck, and I know YOU, too Jarvan. I don't suppose you tried unduly hard to stop this from happening did you? Where is Phelp?"

Jarvan flinched. "He ran, sir"

"Typical. Fine then. All of you! You're under arrest. No more of this nonesense. You're all to come with me! I want to talk this all over, and sort it out decently, to decide what your punishments will be." He reaches down, and picks up Breck and slings him over his shoulder easily.

By this time, guards are flooding into the square from the north and the east, brought by the sound of the gunshot. They all look to the Dragonborn, who directs them to begin retrieving the guards...

Belthran sighs "Well, there goes my evening. Fenric may be rough around the edges, and a lizard, but he's at the very least reasonable."

The boy at Dorcaen's side pats him gently, grinning "See? I told ye' so."

[Ramsus]

Windblown Petals of Plumeria Tabaxi Fighter Windblown Petals of Plumeria looks down at the guards calling up to her and says, "What are you arresting me for aside from being attacked? If anyone needs punishing it's you people for allowing these thugs to have weapons and authority. That creep tried to kill me after they tried to kill that other man. And you're talking of punishing me as if I haven't suffered enough for the crime of coming to your town to try and enjoy a festival? Is this how you treat all travelers? You attack them as a pretense to arrest them and.... what? Extort money from them? You should be ashamed of yourselves."

[Fishybugs]

Evan Kallam Human Paladin Evan raises his hands in an appeasing motion. When the captain announces they are under arrest, he nods once toward one of the newly arrived guards. He slowly moves his hands toward his waist and unbuckles the belt holding his sword. He offers the sword to the guard hilt first. "Nothing wrong with getting this sorted out. Belthran here says your captain is an honorable man." He goes along with the guards peacefully, though scowls if they place any sort of chains or restraints upon him.

[JNAProductions]

AHAHAHA! Look at him run! Run, little piggy, run! Oh, this was all worth it! Scarlet says, laughing manically.

After a little bit, though, she calms, and realizes she's surrounded by many more guards than she can feasibly take down. She looks over to the burly dragonborn, and scowls at him. I expect-well, expect is the wrong word. I deserve to have myself heard. I don't expect that much.

But I'll come peacefully. None of you have proven yourselves worth my time to fight back.

[Kushina43]

Screecher hears the proclamation of the dragonborn, noting with delight that he and the one Screecher had met indeed sounded similar, and lowers his still-glowing weapon. With a wave of their hand, the vines from the kenku's spell start to wilt away, slowly lowering the unconscious guard to the ground. Screecher then raises their one free hand in surrender as a sign of peace, the glow of the staff eventually dissipating.

Screecher then mutters an incantation and ten magical berries appear in their open palm, saying in the lilting voice of an elven lady "Eat these. They heal." while gesturing at each of the injured combatants, guards included.

[josienoms]

Just before Fenric intervenes, Pirella gives Jarvin a pat on the shoulder, for cooperating.

"Thankee kindly, lad. You've been a great help."

She pauses, and says, "And if you ever need any help getting out of this situation, the Church will always be there for you to turn to."

Once the Dragonborn captain shows up, she's more than willing to go along with him. She'd done nothing wrong, and had no reason to fear punishment. Hopefully, she'd be able to help set the record straight, and see the corrupt guards brought to justice.

[Kio]

Pirella hears a sharp (and idiotic sounding) retort to her shouting
"Th-that ain't true!! Sh-she tried ta shoot me!! Y-yeah, she shot at me wit' a gun, an' she got me in th' leg, it 'urts awful!" the tan guard spouted as they tied his hands.
"But Curt, you're standin' fine"
"Yew shattap! She shot me I tell ye'!"
"Lissen, miss, just come down peaceable-like. If'n ye aint done naught wrong, ye'll be out 'afore the festivities tonight. If'n ya resist, y'll 'ave te stay longer." One of the guards shouted up, trying to be reasonable. Of course, she was completely right. By all accounts, she had been sitting in a tree, been woken up suddenly by some yelling, gotten stabbed, and was now getting lugged off to jail... an interesting day for sure...

Belthran joins Evan, raising his hands non-threateningly, and not resisting the guardsmen. The guards try to take out leather strips with which to tie both of their hands, but when they both scowl, the guards flinch. They look at Fenric, who shakes his head, and they put the straps of leather away, mumbling about standard procedure...

Jarvan seems genuinely touched by Pirella's kind words. Moved even. "Thank you Sister. I don't know what I've been doing. You're right. I will seek Varazune's wisdom and guidance once more. That's what my mother taught me, and I've strayed." He bowed his head to her, then held out a hand "Please, take this. It's not worth much, but... it's always brought me luck. I think it's last favor to me was bringing me you. I hope it brings you just as much good fortune as it's brought me." He gives her a small copper coin. It was exactly like any other copper coin, barring the fact that it is bent, scuffed, dented, and has one large chip out of the edge. He then smiles, and begins walking with her towards Fenric.

Spoiler: Pirella OOC

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Pirella, please add "Lucky Coin" to your inventory.

At first, the dazed guards are hesitant to accept the gift of the goodberries. But they eventually give to the strange Kenku, and each of them that tries a berry feels the pleasant warmth of it, and the fuzzy glow of healing. Though it is not much, they all seem comforted. Even the one Screecher had knocked out earlier enjoys the berry after coming around. In fact, he has two before the other guards tie his wrists. Then both he and Screecher are escorted toward Fenric.

When Scarlet scowls at Fenric, Fenric scowls back. "You'll be heard, firey one. Don't fret. Don't try and restrain her." He tosses that last bit to the guards who were getting out their leather straps. "She'll just burn them." The guards give each other nervous looks, but obey, quickly putting their restraints away once more.

Pirella, Scarlet, Evan, Screecher and Belthran are let to the north end of the square, where Fenric looks you all over for a long moment. Then he looks over to the center of the square, where the guards are still trying to reason with the tabaxi.

[JNAProductions]

Scarlet seems content with the dragonborn's words. Maybe you're alright, big guy, she says as she walks in the midst of the guards. She scowls at the other guards if any of them get wayward thoughts about grabbing her or restraining her, but comes without a fuss.

[Kio]

You and the guards are led through the streets of Duran as people watch. The guard Breck and his fellows (Except Jarvan) restrained wrists tied, and the unlikely group free and unfettered with Belthran. Rumors are already spreading of the group who stood up to Breck and his fellows. You can hear them from the crowds in the streets all around you. You get the distinct feeling that this particular crew of guardsmen were not well liked.

Eventually, you reach the guardhouse, and are let inside. It's a simple affair, a few tables, a desk, some cots near the back, and some weapon and armor racks strewn about. You're led down a level, to a floor filled with walls and cells. Also simple, but well built. The door is opened to one of the larger cells, and you are ushered inside. You watch the other guards get led off down farther into the cell floor. After only a minute or two, three guards come down the staircase, dragging Phelp with them. He is kicking and resisting, hands tied, eyes filled with tears. He squeals that it wasn't his fault, and that he's done nothing wrong. The guards holding him just heave him farther, dragging him down the way that the other guards had gone. Fenric stomps past your cell as well, shortly after this, assuredly headed towards where the delinquent guards are being held. After this, there is quiet for a while.

You are left with most of your things, but any blatant weapons are taken and held in a small crate just outside of your cell.

The cell you are in is obviously on of the nicer ones (if a prison cell can be described as 'Nice'). It has four real cots inside, a bench along each wall, and sunlight streaming in through a thin window. There is some hay on the stone floor where it has burst from the mattresses of the cots, then stirred up by the motion of feet. The metal bars and the door lock that keep you in seem sturdy enough to do the job.

Belthran sits on a bench near the back of the cell, looking... well it's hard to read his stern face. you can't tell if he's upset, or if hard work has just put those lines into his face permanently.

[Ramsus]

Windblown Petals of Plumeria Tabaxi Fighter Windblown Petals of Plumeria looks at the others in the cell with her and says, "If they're truly not trying to get something out of us that they have no business asking of us in such a rude manner, I don't see the point in all this fuss. It would have taken less time to ask us and the other people who saw what happened and let us go back to our lives before some thugs they were foolish enough to hire decided it was a good time to start attacking people for no reason than it did to get us here and remove our weapons."

[JNAProductions]

They don't pay the guards to THINK, Scarlet says. Although considering the trouble that happened, they probably just wanted everyone involved cleared away from the area. Make the people feel at ease, and not worried about random women breathing fire at their faces.

[Kushina43]

Their attention mostly at the window- Screecher felt slightly nervous cooped up- Screecher points at their beak while making the sound of a light wind followed by rustling grasses, then to Belthran and finally toward where the guards are being held. The Kenku seems confident enough that the trouble will be brief

[JNAProductions]

Their attention mostly at the window- Screecher felt slightly nervous cooped up- Screecher points at their beak while making the sound of a light wind followed by rustling grasses, then to Belthran and finally toward where the guards are being held. The Kenku seems confident enough that the trouble will be brief

Anyone speak bird? Scarlet asks. Failing that, anyone got something to write with?

[Ramsus]

Windblown Petals of Plumeria Tabaxi Fighter "I have a pen and paper, but no ink." Windblown Petals of Plumeria replies.

[JNAProductions]

Windblown Petals of Plumeria Tabaxi Fighter "I have a pen and paper, but no ink." Windblown Petals of Plumeria replies.

Good enough. Kitty, hand it to Feathers, so they can tell us what the heck they mean.

[Ramsus]

Windblown Petals of Plumeria Tabaxi Fighter "My name is Windblown Petals of Plumeria. And I don't see how a pen without ink is going to do any good." she replies with a raised eyebrow.

[Fishybugs]

Evan Kallam Human Paladin Evan sits in the cell listening to the others for a bit. He smiles at Scarlet's remark of random women breathing fire. "The sounds of wind and grass," he finally chimes in. "It represents freedom. I believe our Kenku friend is trying to say we'll be out soon. Or that he misses the freedom already. Either way." He falls silent for a minute before continuing. "However. I do believe Petals is correct in that they want something more out of us. The captain may have brought us here to speak with us privately. It's what I would do, were I in his place. Or there's something else going on. I'm sure he's noticed the same thing I have. Strange occurrences going on in The Bowl. Around here." Evan stands and stretches his legs. "My name is Evan. I'm a researcher. What brings the rest of you to town?"

[JNAProductions]

Right. You got a shorter name to be called? Because I'm not saying that every time I want to talk to you, Scarlet says. Her voice is rough, but Petals can tell that there's no particular malice towards her.

She carries on to answer Evan, saying I live here, sometimes. Big enough place I can get lost in it, and usually I don't do anything as stupid as today to get myself outed as a... Well, there's quite a list of names I've been called. Hellblaster's a good one-I actually like it.

With that, she then turns back to face the dragonborn watching them. So hey, big guy-you got a name? If not, I'm sure I can make one up, Scarlet says with an evil chuckle.

[Kushina43]

Instead of taking the other's things, Screecher provides their own pen, ink, and paper from their sack. They write down on the paper in a variety of copied handwriting:
"I was close. If they ask, I can relay what happened by mimicking."

Seeing everyone introduce themselves, Screecher writes their name down on the paper, then gestures to themself and mimics the screech of a hawk at a low volume.

[Kio]

Belthran, sitting in the back of the cell, gives curious looks to all the surrounding... creatures. Belthran nods gently as Petals mentions the injustice of the incarceration. He shakes his head when Scarlet asks if anyone speaks bird, and he nods his head again when Evan mentioned the strange goings-on within the bowl. He regards the Kenku curiously as it mimics noises and voices to convey speech. He then looks at Scarlet, raising a thick eyebrow. As Screecher writes their name on the paper and holds it up, Belthran squints at it, then nods. "Ah.. Right. So we've got... er... Screecher? A Kenku magic-wielder... I haven't seen many of your kind who mimic as well as you can. I suppose it does the job, eh? An then, Miss Windblown. I haven't seen many of your tribe here.. at all, really. First one I've seen in Duran for at least four years. You're not wrong to be upset, i'm afraid. It seems the guard attack first and ask questions later these days. For Fenric, at the very least, it's arrest first and ask questions while whomever he arrested is safely behind bars... The lesser of two evils, sure, but I'm just glad I haven't got any holes in me. Hoho! Then we have... er... Hell-blaster? I suppose it certainly fits, Hoho!" He laughs, crossing his arms over his chest. He let the humor of that one settle for a moment, before he turned to Evan. "Ah, and Evan, of course. Young man, do you make it a habit to stand between a man with a gun and the man he's shooting? It can't be good for your health! Hoho!" he laughs again. It becomes obvious that the lines about his eyes and mouth are in-fact laugh-lines. His laugh fills the room with a warmness that shouldn't be found in a prison cell, like the last coal of a fire that refuses to go cold.

Belthran's laughter eventually comes to an end. His smile, though, remains. "I am Belthran the Blacksmith. I am, of course, in your debt, all of you. It's not much to offer in return, but you're all welcome to come to my Smithy, The Broken Bastard. I can offer you any kind of metalwork or repairs, for two times a quarter of my regular price! Hoho!" Another long laugh at his own little joke "Including you, of course miss Dwarf. What was your name?"

[Ramsus]

Windblown Petals of Plumeria Tabaxi Fighter Windblown Petals of Plumeria reaches out to shake hands with Evan and says, "In other circumstanced it'd be nice to meet you Evan. As my name suggests, I'm going wherever the wind takes me." and she gives him a toothy grin. In response to Screecher she guesses, "Screech? Screeching Hawk? Hawk? Errrrr.... Screechy? Harvey Birdman?" In reply to Scarlet she says, "Petals is fine. Or Plumeria or Wind or Petal. Nicknames are fine, though 'kitty' is a bit useless if we encounter other tabaxi and it's not very creative or personal. So... Hellblaster? Is that what you want us to call you?" She takes a moment to consider the prospect of sleeping with the dragonborn in exchange for her freedom and winds up just saying, clearly just thinking aloud rather than being meant as a reply to the suggestion, "It would be a new experience." In reply to Belthran she says, "Yes, we're not all that common I'm afraid. Common enough that at least people don't mistake us for monsters and attack on sight..... usually." She does the math in her head. "So half price. That's a very tempting deal.... if I had any coin at the moment. Especially since I could always use more bullets."

[josienoms]

When Belthran asks her name, Pirella realizes she'd yet to introduce herself. She didn't want to come off as aloof or unfriendly, but she wasn't exactly a people person most of the time, and it had simply slipped her mind. She'd been listening, rather than stepping in herself.

"Oh, my apologies. My name is Pirella Silvershield, and I came to town with my husband and daughters in order to attend the festival." She pauses, frowning. "I'm sure they're worried sick looking for me by now... I'd left them for just a few minutes to stop by your shop, Belthran, to buy a replacement for one of my own smithing tools."

She seems a little embarrassed.

[Kio]

Belthran looks surprised as Pirella admits she was on her way to his shop "Were you? Ah! Well, you were headed to the right place at the right time, Pirella Silvershield! Hoho! And, well... On the matter of coin... Hmmm... Well, I've always got things I need help getting done around the Smithy. I need trustworthy helpers for things like deliveries, retrieving materials, and renovations to the shop. I can give ye a few silver for you help any time you'd like to, but.. More recently a more serious problem has developed for me... One that I might be willing to pay quite a price to-" Belthran pauses, and for a moment, he looks extremely tense, no trace of his previous smile. "Oh dear..." He mutters, and for a moment, there is silence...

No, not silence... There's a sound coming from down the hall. Muffled, for sure, but easy enough to hear once you start to listen for it. Yelling... Yelling and talking and feet pounding back and forth... all underlined by a thin groan... Like the groaning of a man who is doubled over with sickness.

For a half minute, the talking and groaning persists, and then the groan turns into a wail, and the wail into a panicked scream. It sounds like a man screaming in unbearable pain from down the hall where the guards had gone. "Damn it all! What is that racket? Sounds like torture!" Belthran stood and walked to the bars, craning his neck to try and see down the hall "Hey!! What's going on down there!! Hey!" He slams a fist against the metal, but it doesn't give, it simply clangs dully.

[Fishybugs]

Evan Kallam 1st Level Human Paladin Evan sits and listens to the others chat for a bit. He is slightly alarmed with the blacksmith cuts off mid-sentence, and more alarmed when he begins to hear the sounds of pain. He stands and moves toward the bars, attempting to look down the hall. When Belthran begins to yell, Evan turns to the man and says, "Hold it down. We need to hear what's going on." He begins to look around the cell. "Does anyone have any way to open this door?"

Spoiler: Perception

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Rolling perception, as requested: (d20)[1]
EDIT: Oh, good lord.

[Ramsus]

Windblown Petals of Plumeria Tabaxi Fighter "I could... try picking the lock with my claws? Though I'd rather not." Windblown Petals of Plumeria replies, sounding rather unsure of her ability to actually do so.

[JNAProductions]

Honey, please. Let me, Scarlet says, before letting her claws slide out. I've been picking locks since I was young. It's a valuable skill-though I'd LIKE some better tools, once I can get the money, she says as she begins tinkering with the lock.

Spoiler: OOC

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I'd like to take 10, for a 13 (10+Dex mod) and hopefully no penalties, since while I'm not using the MOST proper tools, I've got claws.

If that fails, I'll roll.

(1d20+3)[12]

With disadvantage, I hope not, but just in case:

(1d20+3)[8]