Chapter 2 : Little Drop of Poison

[BigRedRod]

Three days pass under the care and supervision of the devotees at the Cathedral of Pelor, and not without event. Chief among those watching over the party, is Mother Hart, a nun of mixed elven and human blood who seems to have extended her close bond with Sophia to include caring for the others, along with instruction in one or two of Pelor's teachings.

After telling their tale upon arrival, the four were ushered to bed while a group of clerics were dispatched to Sophia's former prison to recover Swires. Each member of the party welcomed a full day of sleep after recent events.

The second day brought Swires' funeral, a solemn and awkward affair, as none of those present knew the priest well enough to say anything of great meaning. Gredrin was charged with saying a few words, little more than a collection of thoughts and feelings from a single night's encounters.

On the third, the three received a visitor. Or rather, Sophia received a visitor and the two brothers were simply present. Sir Gavin DeWark, a dashing young nobleman, came to express his sincere apologies for not being there to protect his love, and for being away from Edinway when Sophia's return was announced. Sir Gavin lamented the fact that he was not gifted with a soldier's skills, or he would hunt down the rest of the vile cultists, he also attempted to have Sophia abandon her duty to the church in order that they be wed so that he could stop anything so ghastly occurring again. Mother Hart, who was present at that particular moment, politely and with more than a hint of subtle mockery insisted that Gavin leave and stop attempting to persuade a champion of Pelor to forsake her God.

The morning of the fourth day brought a message from Cassio, Ward-Sheriff of Edinhumber. Edinhumber, it turns out, is the name of the district which includes a cluster of several of Edinway's more impoverished neighbourhoods along with two sealed plague regions, one of which the party already visited. The message is straight forward, it asks that those responsible for locating the red cultist cell operating in his district report to him today.

Of more immediate concern to Harald is that Gredrin vanished in the night leaving only a scrap of parchment on his bed,
"Sorry"
No one seems to have much idea of where he is, and most seem quite surprised that he managed to leave an eternally active building without being spotted by anyone.

....

The three stand before the young thin man known as Cassio in the small guardhouse at the centre of one of the overcrowded peasant neighbourhoods in Edinhumber. The room is small and contains little more than a desk and a barred window looking down the cobbled streets outside, Cassio stands behind his desk. News of Gredrin's dissapearnce only seems to trouble him briefly before he begins to explain the purpose of calling the party to him,
"With the servants of Pelor who recovered your late companion's body from within the quarantine zone, and your own exploits I'm prepared to start work on removin' the seals. The Gods know that we need the land with how the population of this city swells every day, even with the best efforts of the men on the gates. The Broken Tower region is small, and accordin' to my maps has three public wells ..."

Cassio points to three red dots on the map of the region which is spread across his desk,
"From what the scholars tell me, if any plague remains it will most likely be in the water. I need to know whether these wells are poisoned and I'd like you to be the ones to investigate. I'm aware of the threat of these rat creatures so if you happen across any you should feel free to bring me their left paws. Once we're certain that's safe for people to start movin' back in I'll be paying them three silver bits for every one they bring in, and I'm offerin' you the same right now."

"You may have noticed that we aren't exactly affluent around these parts, so I can't offer you much except the rat bounties. What I can say is that we don't call it the Broken Tower for nothin'."
Cassio prods the map,
"An old wizard used to have a tower in there, folks blamed him for startin' the plague and he was one of the first to fall ill. The tower fell to pieces years ago, but I'd guess that if you have a good search you can uncover some treasures. Plus I'm gonna to have a see if any of the other Ward-Sheriff's have had problems with red-robed moon fanatics, I'm told you are after a girl, maybe this'll help you if you help us"

[Rockwolf]

Sophia turned to Gavin, eyes saddened, and lips trembling.

"Gavin... I'm sorry. After what happened, I don't know if I could ever be the wife and mother that you would wish for me to be. Mother Hart tells me that time heals all wounds... but, I don't know if that could apply to my... experiences. I'm... I'm sorry."

After he left, Sophia merely sat upon the foot of her bed, weeping softly into her hands as Mother Hart tried to comfort her. They had shared in the grisly details of what transpired in those dungeons. Quietly, she whispered to the kind old nun.

"Mother Hart... those herbs we talked about. I.. I don't know for sure... but, I've been feeling very sick in the mornings. I... I think I'll need that bitter tea. I.... I cannot carry... any legacy of those fiends."

[The Alcotroll]

Though he will not speak of it, his brother's disappearance has had a profound effect on Harald. His face bears little expression and his eyes seem devoid of emotion as they flicker from the map, to the official and back again. At the mention of the missing girl, his jaw clenches, but aside from this he makes no comment or movement until the man has finished.

He breaks the expectant silence with three words:

"We will go."

[BigRedRod]

Cassio offers a silent nod and hands a heavy iron key to Harald,
"Try to not let the folks round here see what you're up to. I don't want it advertised that people are goin' back to the Broken Tower before it's safe. Well then I'll wish you good luck, and bid you good day."
The Ward-Sheriff returns to his desk as the trio leave his office and head down the stairs. The solitary guardsmen the group pass on their way out, sits at the main desk polishing one of his boots with a rag and barely looks up at the party.

The air is still but carries both a chill and the odour of too many people living too close together with not enough money. Walking with purpose down the cobbled streets, the three remain silent, one carries the burden of a lost brother who was placed in his care, another still reels from her ordeal in the very place they are returning to, and the third is left with only himself to talk to.

Small and iron-bound, the door set into the large wall built to contain the plague looks the same as it did on Harald and Meleaga's first visit. Traffic on the street is minor and those that do pass seem to have their own concerns that don't involve staring at the small group by the plague-door. The lock is rusty and the door seems to enjoy its position within the frame, never the less Harald inserts the key in to the lock and attempts to persuade the door to open. Eventually the key turns with a loud snapping noise and the lock is freed from the door.

At first the door resists all efforts to open, but finally it yields to the Northern warrior's strength and bursts open with a shower of rust. Quickly passing through the portal, Sophia closes the door behind them and hopes that nobody heard the noise or will have cause to inspect the now obviously unlocked and unstuck door.

Three public wells are contained inside the forbidden district of Edinhumber. The first lies outside the former lair of the Moon Bringers. The second is at the opposite end of the district, by the side of one of the main streets. And the third lies not far from the party, down a narrow alleyway off the street ahead. Cassio's map showed the three wells forming a triangle with the districts' namesake at the centre.

[Rockwolf]

Looking back at the rust-ridden door that is now closed behind them, Sophia turns to her two companions.

"Well, the first well is supposed to be just over there. Shall we proceed?"

[SponkleofInfini]

"Indeed..."

Meleaga draws his cloak around himself as in a mundane attempt to hide himself from this place.

[The Alcotroll]

Harald indicates readiness by tightening his shield straps and drawing his sword.

"I'll go first. Meleaga can follow, Sophia can go last. Happy? Let's go."

[BigRedRod]

Striding ahead of the other two, Harald walks with great confidence along the route he remembers from Cassio's map. So deep in concentration is he attempting to convert the complex drawing in to the even more complicated network of cobbled streets, small debris filled alleys, and buildings of all size and shape that he has already emerged from the smaller road connected to the rusty door and on to the wider main artery of the district by the time he notices a swarm of furred predators closing in on a hapless youth.

These particular rats are much larger and more bestial in appearance than the group encountered on the first trip in to the Broken Tower district. None wield weapons, but their claws are much larger then their smaller cousins' as are their teeth. And in the midst of the five feral ratlings stands a youth, grasping a thin blade, missing a large section of the front his shirt, bleeding from a trio parallel claw wounds on his chest, and clearly very much out of his depth.

Initiative
Meleaga
Sophia
Harald
Bestial Rat 1
Bestial Rat 2
Youth (F)
Bestial Rat 3
Bestial Rat 4
Bestial Rat 5

Map
Drop this text at http://www.irony.com/java/mmee
*BEGIN 0 0 rs 0
*s -1 2o 6w rs 0 9zabk 2o 34 2o 6w *s -1 3c 6w rs 0 9zabk 3c 34
@3c 6w *s -1 2o 50 rs 0 9zabk -2o 50 2o 50 *s -1 7g 50 rs 0 9zabk
@-s 50 7g 4c *s -1 7g 40 rs 0 9zabk -s 40 7g 34 *s -1 3c 40 rs 0
@9zabk 3c 40 -3c 40 *s -1 54 6c rs 0 0 1k 3o 4w 3o 54 6c 1s 6c 1k
@3o *s -1 6g 6g rs 0 0 3s 3k 68 34 6g 5c 48 6g 3s 3k *s -1 7g 4s
@rs 0 0 5o 4s 7g 4s *s -1 6k 64 rs 0 0 6k 3g 6k 64 *s -1 7g 6g rs
@0 0 5o 5s 7g 6g *s -1 5k 6w rs 0 0 1c 6w 1k 60 4w 60 5k 6w *s -1
@2k 6w rs 0 0 2k 6w 2k 5s 18 5s k 6w *s -1 1h 6c rs 0 0 w 3w 1c
@58 1k 5o 14 64 -14 6c -o 3w w 3w *s -1 2i 6a rs 0 0 4 4g 2k 40
@2k 68 k 5s *s -1 1o 40 rs 0 0 -10 40 18 40 1o 3c 1o 1c -10 1c
@-10 40 *s -1 3c 40 rs 0 0 8 40 g 3c g o 3c o 3c 2o 1c 2o 1c 40 g
@40 *s -3 6q 6a rs 0 *s -1 54 3w rs 0 0 1k 2k 2g 3w 54 3g 3s 18
@1k 1w 1k 2k *s -1 50 34 rs 0 0 50 1s 4k 34 *s -1 6c 3o rs 0 0 3w
@3o 64 3o 6c 10 3o 18 *s -1 7c 3o rs 0 0 54 3o 7c 3g 7c 1o 5c 18 *s
@-3 bk 8l rs 0 F *s -3 c4 7w rs 0 R1 *s -3 c6 98 rs 0 R2 *s -3 av
@8m rs 0 R3 *s -3 dj 8l rs 0 R4 *s -3 aw 98 rs 0 R5 *s -3 67 97
@rs 0 H *s -3 5l 9x rs 0 M *s -3 68 aj rs 0 S
*END 4j01m0

[SponkleofInfini]

"Hmm, more rats."

With a sigh, drawing a Scroll of Shield from his organiser Meleaga reads the incantations written upon the parchmant.

(OOC: Draw shield scroll from scroll organiser and casting shield.)

[Rockwolf]

Sophia gawks for a second at the scene that is unfolding, then realizes the peril of the young man being surrounded. Not wasting a moment to think about the situation, she grips her mace and runs to assist the boy, swinging her mace at the creature on the left.

[ooc: Charge attack on R3.]

[The Alcotroll]

Following Sophia, Harald hurls himself at the nearest unengaged rat-man and takes a hefty swing at it's head with his sword.

[OOC; charging R5]

[BigRedRod]

Letting his companions rush ahead, Meleaga calmly draws a scroll and begins to read aloud the mystic language, the spell completes and the scroll falls to pieces in the hands of the wizard as it crumbles to ash. Although nothing seems to have changed with the spell completed, the man takes comfort in knowing that he is now protected by a tower shield of pure invisible force.

Sophia charges toward the creatures with Harald only a few feet behind, as she draws near the creature it begins to turn around in order to avoid the attack. Sophia also twists as she grips her mace and swings around landing a solid blow to the side of the brown-furred monstrosity's head. There is a sick crunch as the head rotates much further than it's neck would like to allow, and the lifeless rat drops to the ground.

The northern warrior's foe manages something along the lines of a dodging motion, but Harald's blade sweeps downward and leaves a nasty wound down the length of it's torso. Despite the grievous damage, however, it refuses to fall to the ground as it's companion did.

Enraged by Sophia's delivery of a swift death to his ally, the rearmost rat gives up on Finn and rushes forward. As it moves it makes a deep rumbling noise, more akin to a mountain lion's roar than any noise a rat should make. Using the distraction to his advantage, Finn thrusts his thin blade at the creature as it attempts to pass him, although his attack does little more than scratch the hulking monster. Leaping over it's fallen friend, the creature rakes at Sophia with a huge clawed paw, although the devout of Pelor manages to deflect the blow with her shield.

Not as easily distracted, the rat closest to Finn throws one of its powerful arms out at him in a claw-studded punch. Unable to move out of the way in time, the youth relies on his armour to absorb the blow. The claws fail to penetrate the studded leather but the force of the blow still sends him reeling.


Initiative
Meleaga
Sophia
Harald
Bestial Rat 1
Bestial Rat 2
Youth (F)
Bestial Rat 3 (down)
Bestial Rat 4
Bestial Rat 5

Map
Drop this text at http://www.irony.com/java/mmee
*BEGIN 0 0 rs 0
*s -1 2o 6w rs 0 9zabk 2o 34 2o 6w *s -1 3c 6w rs 0 9zabk 3c 34
@3c 6w *s -1 2o 50 rs 0 9zabk -2o 50 2o 50 *s -1 7g 50 rs 0 9zabk
@-s 50 7g 4c *s -1 7g 40 rs 0 9zabk -s 40 7g 34 *s -1 3c 40 rs 0
@9zabk 3c 40 -3c 40 *s -1 54 6c rs 0 0 1k 3o 4w 3o 54 6c 1s 6c 1k
@3o *s -1 6g 6g rs 0 0 3s 3k 68 34 6g 5c 48 6g 3s 3k *s -1 7g 4s
@rs 0 0 5o 4s 7g 4s *s -1 6k 64 rs 0 0 6k 3g 6k 64 *s -1 7g 6g rs
@0 0 5o 5s 7g 6g *s -1 5k 6w rs 0 0 1c 6w 1k 60 4w 60 5k 6w *s -1
@2k 6w rs 0 0 2k 6w 2k 5s 18 5s k 6w *s -1 1i 6c rs 0 0 v 3w 1b
@58 1j 5o 13 64 -15 6c -p 3w v 3w *s -1 2j 69 rs 0 0 3 4h 2j 41
@2j 69 j 5t *s -1 1o 40 rs 0 0 -10 40 18 40 1o 3c 1o 1c -10 1c
@-10 40 *s -1 3c 40 rs 0 0 8 40 g 3c g o 3c o 3c 2o 1c 2o 1c 40 g
@40 *s -3 6q 6a rs 0 *s -1 54 3w rs 0 0 1k 2k 2g 3w 54 3g 3s 18
@1k 1w 1k 2k *s -1 50 34 rs 0 0 50 1s 4k 34 *s -1 6c 3o rs 0 0 3w
@3o 64 3o 6c 10 3o 18 *s -1 7c 3o rs 0 0 54 3o 7c 3g 7c 1o 5c 18 *s
@-3 bk 8l rs 0 F *s -3 as 7w rs 0 R1 *s -3 c6 98 rs 0 R2 *s -3 av
@8m rs 0 R3 *s -3 dj 8l rs 0 R4 *s -3 aw 98 rs 0 R5 *s -3 a8 96
@rs 0 H *s -3 5l 9x rs 0 M *s -3 a6 8j rs 0 S *s -1 5o 4c rs 0
@9y6tc 50 4c 5o 3o *s -1 5o 4c rs 0 9y6tc 5o 4c 50 3o
*END -2pkorz

[Flagg Thornington]

Frantically trying to parry a flurry of claws and diseased fangs Finn whirls around with his rapier. The blood trickling down his stomach is warm, any deeper and he'd be holding his intestines in his hands. Seeing a perfect opportunity the rogue turns his blade on the rat that struck him taking care to avoid another wound.

[ooc- fighting defensively attacking rat SE of Finn. Followed by a five foot step NE]

[BigRedRod]

Attempting a swift forwards lunge and backstep, Finn's rapier is batted aside by his foe before it comes near to drawing blood from the creature. Stepping backwards, Finn becomes the target of another of the creatures. Rushing at him from the side, Finn reacts with catlike grace and manages to duck the horizontal sweep from the large feral creature.

Harald's target shows unexpected cunning in combat as it feints with a paw strike from the left and then lunges forward and clamps its jaw on Harald's arm as he moves to defends himself. Several of the large pointed teeth pierce through his armour, but thankfully the rat releases its hold after less than a second. Looking at the wounded monster, Harald notices it doesn't seem quite as wounded as it was moments ago when made a large incision down its torso. All that remains of the sword stroke is a shallow wound on its upper chest.

Initiative
Meleaga
Sophia
Harald
Bestial Rat 1
Bestial Rat 2
Youth (F)
Bestial Rat 3 (down)
Bestial Rat 4
Bestial Rat 5

Map
Drop this text at http://www.irony.com/java/mmee
*BEGIN 0 0 rs 0
*s -1 2o 6w rs 0 9zabk 2o 34 2o 6w *s -1 3c 6w rs 0 9zabk 3c 34
@3c 6w *s -1 2o 50 rs 0 9zabk -2o 50 2o 50 *s -1 7g 50 rs 0 9zabk
@-s 50 7g 4c *s -1 7g 40 rs 0 9zabk -s 40 7g 34 *s -1 3c 40 rs 0
@9zabk 3c 40 -3c 40 *s -1 54 6c rs 0 0 1k 3o 4w 3o 54 6c 1s 6c 1k
@3o *s -1 6g 6g rs 0 0 3s 3k 68 34 6g 5c 48 6g 3s 3k *s -1 7g 4s
@rs 0 0 5o 4s 7g 4s *s -1 6k 64 rs 0 0 6k 3g 6k 64 *s -1 7g 6g rs
@0 0 5o 5s 7g 6g *s -1 5k 6w rs 0 0 1c 6w 1k 60 4w 60 5k 6w *s -1
@2k 6w rs 0 0 2k 6w 2k 5s 18 5s k 6w *s -1 1i 6c rs 0 0 v 3w 1b
@58 1j 5o 13 64 -15 6c -p 3w v 3w *s -1 2j 69 rs 0 0 3 4h 2j 41
@2j 69 j 5t *s -1 1o 40 rs 0 0 -10 40 18 40 1o 3c 1o 1c -10 1c
@-10 40 *s -1 3c 40 rs 0 0 8 40 g 3c g o 3c o 3c 2o 1c 2o 1c 40 g
@40 *s -3 6q 6a rs 0 *s -1 54 3w rs 0 0 1k 2k 2g 3w 54 3g 3s 18
@1k 1w 1k 2k *s -1 50 34 rs 0 0 50 1s 4k 34 *s -1 6c 3o rs 0 0 3w
@3o 64 3o 6c 10 3o 18 *s -1 7c 3o rs 0 0 54 3o 7c 3g 7c 1o 5c 18 *s
@-3 c7 7w rs 0 F *s -3 as 7w rs 0 R1 *s -3 c6 98 rs 0 R2 *s -3 av
@8m rs 0 R3 *s -3 cr 7w rs 0 R4 *s -3 aw 98 rs 0 R5 *s -3 a8 96
@rs 0 H *s -3 5l 9x rs 0 M *s -3 a6 8j rs 0 S *s -1 5o 4c rs 0
@9y6tc 50 4c 5o 3o *s -1 5o 4c rs 0 9y6tc 5o 4c 50 3o
*END glcur3

[SponkleofInfini]

Feeling more assured of his own protection; Meleaga moves forward stopping not far behind his companions. Pulling his hand back and thrusting it forward a ball of energy rockets forth to the rat Harald is engaging.

(OOC: Move to the square 10ft behind Harald, casting magic missile on R5.)

[Rockwolf]

Sophia calls out to both Harald and Meleaga.

"I need to get to that boy, his wounds are severe! Cut these beasts down quickly!"

As if the words were even needed, Sophia then winds up and swings with all of her might at the ratman fighting Harald, hoping to break a wide hole in their shoddy defensive line.

[The Alcotroll]

Cursing, Harald abandones finesse and relies on brute strength instead, reasoning that such a bulky target should be less agile. He puts all his force into the blow that he aims upwards at the rat-thing's torso.

[OOC: power attack with all my BAB]

[BigRedRod]

Whispering more arcane words learnt at his time in Hollowfaust, Meleaga channels the ambient magical energies into a ball of force and hurls it towards Harald's quarry. The pinkish orb strikes the rat firmly on the top of his elongated head, making the creature wince in pain.

With unstoppable force, Sophia's mace sweeps diagonally through the air towards the rat-man still recoiling from Meleaga's magical assault. It offers only a poor excuse for a dodge with a backward lean, however, the mace touches only empty air as the swing completes.

Harald has slightly more luck with his own blow, abandoning the finesse which disciples of the blade spend many years learning and performing a wild upwards swing with his large sword. The gamble pays off however as the blade cleaves straight through the rat-beast's left leg and buries itself in its groin after snapping a few bones during the journey. Blood gushes from the creature staining its filthy brown fur with its own blood.

With her desire to save the youth and focus on Harald's now fallen target, Sophia neglects the rat which has given her its full attention and receives a powerful claw rake to her neck and shoulder. Filth-encrusted, razor-sharp claws lodge in to the cleric's neck and pull downwards across her shoulder. A few of the leather strips which form the framework for Sophia's banded mail, are pulled free landing on the cobbles with metallic clanging noises where the metal plates sewn on op impact with the hard stones. Blood pours freely down from her neck and the servant of Pelor praises her God and her luck that the claws didn't dig any deeper; such a blow would have meant certain death.
The remaining unengaged rat chooses to exact vengeance upon Harald, his shield is batted aside and the claws of the rat dig three long gouges in his right thigh, splitting the armour plates which try to intervene.



Initiative
Meleaga
Sophia
Harald
Bestial Rat 1
Bestial Rat 2
Youth (F)
Bestial Rat 3 (down)
Bestial Rat 4
Bestial Rat 5 (down)

Map
Drop this text at http://www.irony.com/java/mmee
*BEGIN 0 0 rs 0
*s -1 2o 6w rs 0 9zabk 2o 34 2o 6w *s -1 3c 6w rs 0 9zabk 3c 34
@3c 6w *s -1 2o 50 rs 0 9zabk -2o 50 2o 50 *s -1 7g 50 rs 0 9zabk
@-s 50 7g 4c *s -1 7g 40 rs 0 9zabk -s 40 7g 34 *s -1 3c 40 rs 0
@9zabk 3c 40 -3c 40 *s -1 54 6c rs 0 0 1k 3o 4w 3o 54 6c 1s 6c 1k
@3o *s -1 6g 6g rs 0 0 3s 3k 68 34 6g 5c 48 6g 3s 3k *s -1 7g 4s
@rs 0 0 5o 4s 7g 4s *s -1 6k 64 rs 0 0 6k 3g 6k 64 *s -1 7g 6g rs
@0 0 5o 5s 7g 6g *s -1 5k 6w rs 0 0 1c 6w 1k 60 4w 60 5k 6w *s -1
@2k 6w rs 0 0 2k 6w 2k 5s 18 5s k 6w *s -1 1i 6c rs 0 0 v 3w 1b
@58 1j 5o 13 64 -15 6c -p 3w v 3w *s -1 2j 69 rs 0 0 3 4h 2j 41
@2j 69 j 5t *s -1 1o 40 rs 0 0 -10 40 18 40 1o 3c 1o 1c -10 1c
@-10 40 *s -1 3c 40 rs 0 0 8 40 g 3c g o 3c o 3c 2o 1c 2o 1c 40 g
@40 *s -3 6q 6a rs 0 *s -1 54 3w rs 0 0 1k 2k 2g 3w 54 3g 3s 18
@1k 1w 1k 2k *s -1 50 34 rs 0 0 50 1s 4k 34 *s -1 6c 3o rs 0 0 3w
@3o 64 3o 6c 10 3o 18 *s -1 7c 3o rs 0 0 54 3o 7c 3g 7c 1o 5c 18 *s
@-3 c7 7w rs 0 F *s -3 as 7w rs 0 R1 *s -3 at 95 rs 0 R2 *s -3 av
@8m rs 0 R3 *s -3 cr 7w rs 0 R4 *s -3 bh 98 rs 0 R5 *s -3 a8 96
@rs 0 H *s -3 8s 96 rs 0 M *s -3 a6 8j rs 0 S *s -1 5o 4c rs 0
@9y6tc 50 4c 5o 3o *s -1 5o 4c rs 0 9y6tc 5o 4c 50 3o *s -1 6a 4n
@rs 0 9y6tc 50 4o 5o 40 *s -1 6a 4n rs 0 9y6tc 5o 4o 50 40
*END cn4xl8

[Flagg Thornington]

Finn spends the next few moments dodging the rat that chose to attack him, then steps behind the rat that raked the newly arrived woman to provide her with a flanker. The rouge then thrusts with his rapier hoping to exploit an opening.

[ooc 5-foot step W flank and attack the rat that clawed Sophia, assign dodge bonus to rat 4]

[BigRedRod]

In a smooth flowing action, Finn ducks away from one of the rat creatures, takes a few short steps whiling turning around and finally lunges forwards with rapier at the creature currently battling Sophia. As smooth as the action might of been, however, the rogue fails to coordinate the different aspects and ends up thrusting in to empty air rather than into his target.

Determined not to allow its prey to escape so easily, Finn's former opponent leaps after him, sweeping one his massive clawed paws as he lands. The blow barely makes contact with the swift rogue however, and any force is absorbs entirely by the thick metal-studded leather he wears.



Initiative
Meleaga
Sophia
Harald
Bestial Rat 1
Bestial Rat 2
Youth (F)
Bestial Rat 3 (down)
Bestial Rat 4
Bestial Rat 5 (down)

Map
Drop this text at http://www.irony.com/java/mmee
*BEGIN 0 0 rs 0
*s -1 2o 6w rs 0 9zabk 2o 34 2o 6w *s -1 3c 6w rs 0 9zabk 3c 34
@3c 6w *s -1 2o 50 rs 0 9zabk -2o 50 2o 50 *s -1 7g 50 rs 0 9zabk
@-s 50 7g 4c *s -1 7g 40 rs 0 9zabk -s 40 7g 34 *s -1 3c 40 rs 0
@9zabk 3c 40 -3c 40 *s -1 54 6c rs 0 0 1k 3o 4w 3o 54 6c 1s 6c 1k
@3o *s -1 6g 6g rs 0 0 3s 3k 68 34 6g 5c 48 6g 3s 3k *s -1 7g 4s
@rs 0 0 5o 4s 7g 4s *s -1 6k 64 rs 0 0 6k 3g 6k 64 *s -1 7g 6g rs
@0 0 5o 5s 7g 6g *s -1 5k 6w rs 0 0 1c 6w 1k 60 4w 60 5k 6w *s -1
@2k 6w rs 0 0 2k 6w 2k 5s 18 5s k 6w *s -1 1i 6c rs 0 0 v 3w 1b
@58 1j 5o 13 64 -15 6c -p 3w v 3w *s -1 2j 69 rs 0 0 3 4h 2j 41
@2j 69 j 5t *s -1 1o 40 rs 0 0 -10 40 18 40 1o 3c 1o 1c -10 1c
@-10 40 *s -1 3c 40 rs 0 0 8 40 g 3c g o 3c o 3c 2o 1c 2o 1c 40 g
@40 *s -3 6q 6a rs 0 *s -1 54 3w rs 0 0 1k 2k 2g 3w 54 3g 3s 18
@1k 1w 1k 2k *s -1 50 34 rs 0 0 50 1s 4k 34 *s -1 6c 3o rs 0 0 3w
@3o 64 3o 6c 10 3o 18 *s -1 7c 3o rs 0 0 54 3o 7c 3g 7c 1o 5c 18 *s
@-3 bl 7x rs 0 F *s -3 as 7w rs 0 R1 *s -3 at 95 rs 0 R2 *s -3 av
@8m rs 0 R3 *s -3 c4 7v rs 0 R4 *s -3 bh 98 rs 0 R5 *s -3 a8 96
@rs 0 H *s -3 8s 96 rs 0 M *s -3 a6 8j rs 0 S *s -1 5o 4c rs 0
@9y6tc 50 4c 5o 3o *s -1 5o 4c rs 0 9y6tc 5o 4c 50 3o *s -1 5z 4n
@rs 0 9y6tc 5b 4o 5z 40 *s -1 5z 4n rs 0 9y6tc 5z 4o 5b 40
*END -6wdw4g

[SponkleofInfini]

"Damn these infernal rats..."

Frustrated with his inability to help with the groups current plight; Meleaga reluctantly draws the crossbow which to this point has served as more a liability then an aid in combat, but desperate times call for desperate measures.

(OCC: Draw and load crossbow -_-'.)

[Rockwolf]

Shock in her face as pieces of her armor fall clattering to the cold hard ground, Sophia directs her attention away from preserving others lives, and focuses on keeping her own skin intact. With a scream of exertion, she swings her mace in a brutal downward arc at the creature with her blood on its claws.

[The Alcotroll]

Screaming in rage and more than a little pain, Harald recovers his up-swinging blade and brings it slicing back down again, moving his shield back into position to fend off the rat's claws as he does so.

[OOC; 'nother power attack on R2]

[BigRedRod]

Dropping down on one knee, Meleaga grips his crossbow and slides a bolt in to the mechanism. Hastily the wizard winds the winch, while before him the battle continues to rage.

Sophia spins around and delivers a powerful blow to the side of the creature's torso with her mace, despite gasping for breath briefly the rat-beast seems eager to continue the fight.

The blade of the Jarl swings downwards in a display of raw power over technique. A display which his foe easily avoids with a swift backward hop, leaving the sword to strike one of the cobble stones covering the ground, leaving it split in to small angular shapes.

Unaware of the damage caused by Sophia's mace the beast lashes out again with a claw rake, however, the bruised muscles around its ribs cry out in pain at their sudden movement and cause the blow to stutter, giving Sophia more than enough time to bat away the blow with her shield.

Sandwiches between two of the creatures, Finn finds that his concentration is split and yet somehow he manages to avoid the snapping jaws of one of the monstrosities.

Initiative
Meleaga
Sophia
Harald
Bestial Rat 1
Bestial Rat 2
Youth (F)
Bestial Rat 3 (down)
Bestial Rat 4
Bestial Rat 5 (down)

Map
Drop this text at http://www.irony.com/java/mmee
*BEGIN 0 0 rs 0
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@3c 6w *s -1 2o 50 rs 0 9zabk -2o 50 2o 50 *s -1 7g 50 rs 0 9zabk
@-s 50 7g 4c *s -1 7g 40 rs 0 9zabk -s 40 7g 34 *s -1 3c 40 rs 0
@9zabk 3c 40 -3c 40 *s -1 54 6c rs 0 0 1k 3o 4w 3o 54 6c 1s 6c 1k
@3o *s -1 6g 6g rs 0 0 3s 3k 68 34 6g 5c 48 6g 3s 3k *s -1 7g 4s
@rs 0 0 5o 4s 7g 4s *s -1 6k 64 rs 0 0 6k 3g 6k 64 *s -1 7g 6g rs
@0 0 5o 5s 7g 6g *s -1 5k 6w rs 0 0 1c 6w 1k 60 4w 60 5k 6w *s -1
@2k 6w rs 0 0 2k 6w 2k 5s 18 5s k 6w *s -1 1i 6c rs 0 0 v 3w 1b
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@2j 69 j 5t *s -1 1o 40 rs 0 0 -10 40 18 40 1o 3c 1o 1c -10 1c
@-10 40 *s -1 3c 40 rs 0 0 8 40 g 3c g o 3c o 3c 2o 1c 2o 1c 40 g
@40 *s -3 6q 6a rs 0 *s -1 54 3w rs 0 0 1k 2k 2g 3w 54 3g 3s 18
@1k 1w 1k 2k *s -1 50 34 rs 0 0 50 1s 4k 34 *s -1 6c 3o rs 0 0 3w
@3o 64 3o 6c 10 3o 18 *s -1 7c 3o rs 0 0 54 3o 7c 3g 7c 1o 5c 18 *s
@-3 bl 7x rs 0 F *s -3 as 7w rs 0 R1 *s -3 at 95 rs 0 R2 *s -3 av
@8m rs 0 R3 *s -3 c4 7v rs 0 R4 *s -3 bh 98 rs 0 R5 *s -3 a8 96
@rs 0 H *s -3 8s 96 rs 0 M *s -3 a6 8j rs 0 S *s -1 5o 4c rs 0
@9y6tc 50 4c 5o 3o *s -1 5o 4c rs 0 9y6tc 5o 4c 50 3o *s -1 5z 4n
@rs 0 9y6tc 5b 4o 5z 40 *s -1 5z 4n rs 0 9y6tc 5z 4o 5b 40
*END -6wdw4g

[SponkleofInfini]

After loading his crossbow Meleaga quickly moves to his left and takes aim at the creature engaging the youth.

"Dont fail me now."

With a deep breath Meleaga fires.

(OOC: Move 5ft up and fire upon R1, reloading afterwoods.)

[Flagg Thornington]

Finn knows that sheer luck only lasts so long. He picks up his pace and intently lunges with his rapier. He sidesteps spritely and avoids the rats surrounding him.

[ooc dodge & attack R4, 5 foot step SE]

[BigRedRod]

Wheeling around one of the rat-creatures, Finn both removes himself from a precarious situation and pierces its hip with his blade. As the steel strikes bone it jars slightly and stops digging into the creature, with a tug the blade is freed and blood begins to slowly ooze from the wound.

Letting out another the monstrous roars, Finn's opponent swings wildly in rage and desperation and manages not to achieve anything approaching actually striking the youth.

Stepping sideways, Meleaga ensures that he has a clear shot of his target and fires. The bolt only just strikes, burrowing just beneath the shoulder of the creature being held in position by a tiny flap of fur-covered skin. Blood trickles freely from the wound and the wounded creature turns its gaze on to Meleaga.



Initiative
Meleaga
Sophia
Harald
Bestial Rat 1
Bestial Rat 2
Youth (F)
Bestial Rat 3 (down)
Bestial Rat 4
Bestial Rat 5 (down)

Map
Drop this text at http://www.irony.com/java/mmee
*BEGIN 0 0 rs 0
*s -1 2o 6w rs 0 9zabk 2o 34 2o 6w *s -1 3c 6w rs 0 9zabk 3c 34
@3c 6w *s -1 2o 50 rs 0 9zabk -2o 50 2o 50 *s -1 7g 50 rs 0 9zabk
@-s 50 7g 4c *s -1 7g 40 rs 0 9zabk -s 40 7g 34 *s -1 3c 40 rs 0
@9zabk 3c 40 -3c 40 *s -1 54 6c rs 0 0 1k 3o 4w 3o 54 6c 1s 6c 1k
@3o *s -1 6g 6g rs 0 0 3s 3k 68 34 6g 5c 48 6g 3s 3k *s -1 7g 4s
@rs 0 0 5o 4s 7g 4s *s -1 6k 64 rs 0 0 6k 3g 6k 64 *s -1 7g 6g rs
@0 0 5o 5s 7g 6g *s -1 5k 6w rs 0 0 1c 6w 1k 60 4w 60 5k 6w *s -1
@2k 6w rs 0 0 2k 6w 2k 5s 18 5s k 6w *s -1 1i 6c rs 0 0 v 3w 1b
@58 1j 5o 13 64 -15 6c -p 3w v 3w *s -1 2j 69 rs 0 0 3 4h 2j 41
@2j 69 j 5t *s -1 1o 40 rs 0 0 -10 40 18 40 1o 3c 1o 1c -10 1c
@-10 40 *s -1 3c 40 rs 0 0 8 40 g 3c g o 3c o 3c 2o 1c 2o 1c 40 g
@40 *s -3 6q 6a rs 0 *s -1 54 3w rs 0 0 1k 2k 2g 3w 54 3g 3s 18
@1k 1w 1k 2k *s -1 50 34 rs 0 0 50 1s 4k 34 *s -1 6c 3o rs 0 0 3w
@3o 64 3o 6c 10 3o 18 *s -1 7c 3o rs 0 0 54 3o 7c 3g 7c 1o 5c 18 *s
@-3 c7 8i rs 0 F *s -3 as 7w rs 0 R1 *s -3 at 95 rs 0 R2 *s -3 av
@8m rs 0 R3 *s -3 c4 7v rs 0 R4 *s -3 bh 98 rs 0 R5 *s -3 a8 96
@rs 0 H *s -3 8w 8f rs 0 M *s -3 a6 8j rs 0 S *s -1 5o 4c rs 0
@9y6tc 50 4c 5o 3o *s -1 5o 4c rs 0 9y6tc 5o 4c 50 3o *s -1 5z 4n
@rs 0 9y6tc 5b 4o 5z 40 *s -1 5z 4n rs 0 9y6tc 5z 4o 5b 40
*END xp9rwz

[The Alcotroll]

Cursing his clumsiness and praying to the souls of his ancestors that the precious blade isn't damaged, Harald pushes forward again behind his shield and swings at the rat's torso.

[OOC: D20+6, D10+3]

[Rockwolf]

Seeing that her attacks are having some affect on these creatures, Sophia continues to press her assault.

[BigRedRod]

Distracted by the sudden appearance of a bolt in its arm, the rat-beast nearest to Sophia fails to react as the cleric swings her weapon in an upwards arc. The mace impacts solidly on the elongated jaw of the creature, sending a spray of blood and long yellow teeth up in to the air. A horrid snapping noise accompanies the blow as much of the creature's skull is demolished. Another of the creatures falls at Sophia's feet in a spreading pool of gore.

Inspired by the feat of martial prowess demonstrated by Sophia, Harald focuses on his training in the ways of war and swings his blade in a wide horizontal arc. The rat dodges backwards but is still caught by the blade which tears through flesh and bone, leaving a terrible wound spreading from the creature's waist to its lower ribs.

For a moment the blood pours like a river and it seems the rat will join its fellows upon the red-stained cobbles, but after the initial moment of shock it seems to recover from the seemingly fatal wound. With blood still oozing outward the creature grasps outward at Harald, but with so little energy behind the attack Harald easily bats it away with his shield.


Initiative
Meleaga
Sophia
Harald
Bestial Rat 1 (down)
Bestial Rat 2
Youth (F)
Bestial Rat 3 (down)
Bestial Rat 4
Bestial Rat 5 (down)

Map
Drop this text at http://www.irony.com/java/mmee
*BEGIN 0 0 rs 0
*s -1 2o 6w rs 0 9zabk 2o 34 2o 6w *s -1 3c 6w rs 0 9zabk 3c 34
@3c 6w *s -1 2o 50 rs 0 9zabk -2o 50 2o 50 *s -1 7g 50 rs 0 9zabk
@-s 50 7g 4c *s -1 7g 40 rs 0 9zabk -s 40 7g 34 *s -1 3c 40 rs 0
@9zabk 3c 40 -3c 40 *s -1 54 6c rs 0 0 1k 3o 4w 3o 54 6c 1s 6c 1k
@3o *s -1 6g 6g rs 0 0 3s 3k 68 34 6g 5c 48 6g 3s 3k *s -1 7g 4s
@rs 0 0 5o 4s 7g 4s *s -1 6k 64 rs 0 0 6k 3g 6k 64 *s -1 7g 6g rs
@0 0 5o 5s 7g 6g *s -1 5k 6w rs 0 0 1c 6w 1k 60 4w 60 5k 6w *s -1
@2k 6w rs 0 0 2k 6w 2k 5s 18 5s k 6w *s -1 1i 6c rs 0 0 v 3w 1b
@58 1j 5o 13 64 -15 6c -p 3w v 3w *s -1 2j 69 rs 0 0 3 4h 2j 41
@2j 69 j 5t *s -1 1o 40 rs 0 0 -10 40 18 40 1o 3c 1o 1c -10 1c
@-10 40 *s -1 3c 40 rs 0 0 8 40 g 3c g o 3c o 3c 2o 1c 2o 1c 40 g
@40 *s -3 6q 6a rs 0 *s -1 54 3w rs 0 0 1k 2k 2g 3w 54 3g 3s 18
@1k 1w 1k 2k *s -1 50 34 rs 0 0 50 1s 4k 34 *s -1 6c 3o rs 0 0 3w
@3o 64 3o 6c 10 3o 18 *s -1 7c 3o rs 0 0 54 3o 7c 3g 7c 1o 5c 18 *s
@-3 c7 8i rs 0 F *s -3 as 7w rs 0 R1 *s -3 at 95 rs 0 R2 *s -3 av
@8m rs 0 R3 *s -3 c4 7v rs 0 R4 *s -3 bh 98 rs 0 R5 *s -3 a8 96
@rs 0 H *s -3 8w 8f rs 0 M *s -3 a6 8j rs 0 S *s -1 5o 4c rs 0
@9y6tc 50 4c 5o 3o *s -1 5o 4c rs 0 9y6tc 5o 4c 50 3o *s -1 5z 4n
@rs 0 9y6tc 5b 4o 5z 40 *s -1 5z 4n rs 0 9y6tc 5z 4o 5b 40 *s -1
@5o 40 rs 0 9y6tc 50 40 5o 3c *s -1 5o 40 rs 0 9y6tc 5o 40 50 3c
*END w8b5nj

[SponkleofInfini]

"My best shot to date, how sad."

Meleaga now focuses his attentions on the second rat attacking the youth, lifting up his crossbow he fires once more hoping his meager abilities with the weapon are enough to hit let alone hurt the rat creature.

(OOC: Fire at R4 and the reload.)

[Flagg Thornington]

Finn keeps moving, a blur in the corpse-riddled alley. His rapier gleams as he thrusts for an opening in the rat's defenses.

[ooc att & dodge r4, 5-foot step NE]

[BigRedRod]

Unable to keep up with Finn's swift movements, his opponent is still turning around as the rapier thrusts forward and punches straight through the heavily muscled neck of the rat-monster. Instinctively, the creature brings its paws up to its wounded throat and it attempts to scream in defiance but only manages a sick gurgle as it falls in to a heap.

Taking aim at the last standing foe, the wizard releases the crossbow mechanism but manages to pull it backwards as he does so. As such the bolt flies far above its target and lodges itself in a wooden wall of the building opposite.

Initiative
Meleaga
Sophia
Harald
Bestial Rat 1 (down)
Bestial Rat 2
Youth (F)
Bestial Rat 3 (down)
Bestial Rat 4 (down)
Bestial Rat 5 (down)

Map
Drop this text at http://www.irony.com/java/mmee
*BEGIN 0 0 rs 0
*s -1 2o 6w rs 0 9zabk 2o 34 2o 6w *s -1 3c 6w rs 0 9zabk 3c 34
@3c 6w *s -1 2o 50 rs 0 9zabk -2o 50 2o 50 *s -1 7g 50 rs 0 9zabk
@-s 50 7g 4c *s -1 7g 40 rs 0 9zabk -s 40 7g 34 *s -1 3c 40 rs 0
@9zabk 3c 40 -3c 40 *s -1 54 6c rs 0 0 1k 3o 4w 3o 54 6c 1s 6c 1k
@3o *s -1 6g 6g rs 0 0 3s 3k 68 34 6g 5c 48 6g 3s 3k *s -1 7g 4s
@rs 0 0 5o 4s 7g 4s *s -1 6k 64 rs 0 0 6k 3g 6k 64 *s -1 7g 6g rs
@0 0 5o 5s 7g 6g *s -1 5k 6w rs 0 0 1c 6w 1k 60 4w 60 5k 6w *s -1
@2k 6w rs 0 0 2k 6w 2k 5s 18 5s k 6w *s -1 1i 6c rs 0 0 v 3w 1b
@58 1j 5o 13 64 -15 6c -p 3w v 3w *s -1 2j 69 rs 0 0 3 4h 2j 41
@2j 69 j 5t *s -1 1o 40 rs 0 0 -10 40 18 40 1o 3c 1o 1c -10 1c
@-10 40 *s -1 3c 40 rs 0 0 8 40 g 3c g o 3c o 3c 2o 1c 2o 1c 40 g
@40 *s -3 6q 6a rs 0 *s -1 54 3w rs 0 0 1k 2k 2g 3w 54 3g 3s 18
@1k 1w 1k 2k *s -1 50 34 rs 0 0 50 1s 4k 34 *s -1 6c 3o rs 0 0 3w
@3o 64 3o 6c 10 3o 18 *s -1 7c 3o rs 0 0 54 3o 7c 3g 7c 1o 5c 18 *s
@-3 cx 7u rs 0 F *s -3 as 7w rs 0 R1 *s -3 at 95 rs 0 R2 *s -3 av
@8m rs 0 R3 *s -3 c4 7v rs 0 R4 *s -3 bh 98 rs 0 R5 *s -3 a8 96
@rs 0 H *s -3 8w 8f rs 0 M *s -3 a6 8j rs 0 S *s -1 5o 4c rs 0
@9y6tc 50 4c 5o 3o *s -1 5o 4c rs 0 9y6tc 5o 4c 50 3o *s -1 5z 4n
@rs 0 9y6tc 5b 4o 5z 40 *s -1 5z 4n rs 0 9y6tc 5z 4o 5b 40 *s -1
@5o 40 rs 0 9y6tc 50 40 5o 3c *s -1 5o 40 rs 0 9y6tc 5o 40 50 3c *s
@-1 6c 40 rs 0 9y6tc 5o 40 6c 3c *s -1 6c 40 rs 0 9y6tc 6c 40 5o
@3c
*END -bgph1n

[Rockwolf]

With the way clear, Sophia steps clear of the claws of the last standing rat, and rushes to the youth.

"Don't be afraid, I can tend to your wounds."

[ooc:Withdraw from combat, end movement next to youth]

[The Alcotroll]

Harald, sensing weakness, pushes the attack against his opponent, buffeting the rat's claws aside with his shield and lunging hard.

[OOC: same again please, barman.]

[BigRedRod]

Sophia leaves the task of dispatching the last of the rat-creatures to Meleaga and Harald, as she cautiously but swiftly moves forwards away from the combat and toward the youth.

Without a rival warrior to attempt to keep up with in battle Harald fares much better and ends the miserable life of the remaining beast in a single diagonal slash. The blade digs deep in to the dark flesh of the monster, almost removing one of it's legs and mangling the organs contained in the lower torso.

As the last of the threats falls in to a bloody heap of body parts at Harald's feet, there is a chance to take a deep breath and reflect on the sudden quietness which is so unfitting for a district at the centre of such a large city.

[ooc: unless Finn is going to fight the party now, I think we're done with combat]

[Flagg Thornington]

Though Finn is unaccustomed to being rescued, and he should not have struck out for the rumored reward by his lonesome. Hearing the kind words of the priestess lightens his mood. He turns to her with a wide grin, "My lady, I do appreciate your offer. Thank you all for baring you blades on my behalf. My name is Finn and I ventured here with the intention of earning some bread. Apparently there is a meager bounty on these creatures."
The slender male salutes the warrior, mage, and cleric with a traveler's wave with his right hand while his left slows the blood oozing from his wound.
"I can only assume that you're here for similar reasons, am I on to something?"

[The Alcotroll]

Leaving the talking to Sophia, Harald sets to severing the left paws of each corpse, before wiping his sword clean on a mangy coat of fur and looking for somewhere to put the group's grisly trophies.

[SponkleofInfini]

Meleaga approaches Finn, his right hand partially concealing the wicked grin forming.

"Oh my yes, however with such keen powers of deduction one would think you would come with a few extra hands to help cull the city of these beasts..."

Meleaga's glance is drawn toward Harald holding the rat paws looking for a place to put them. With a slight chuckle Meleaga walks over to the corpses and examines them for anythign of use.

[Rockwolf]

Sophia takes a quick look at the young Finn's wound.

"Finn, that's deep, and could become infected if left unattended. Hold still, this may feel a little... strange."

Calling upon the grace of Pelor, Sophia takes the latent divine energy of her Command spell, and converts it into raw healing energy, the kind of magic she is most talented at. After tending to Finn's wound, Sophia repeats the process with Harald, converting her Shield of Faith spell. Once both mens wounds have been seen to, she turns and puts her last bit of energy into herself, the Lesser Vigor spell, which has the uncomfortable property of healing larger wounds at a much slower rate.

As the wound in her shoulder slowly stitches itself, Sophia turns to Finn.

"By yourself, hunting the miserable bounty on these rats? Times must be desperate indeed. We're not really after the rats, per se, we've got other duties to tend to in this quarter, and can't really turn back at the moment. Come with us while we take care of our other business, should we run into more of these creatures, we'll fare much better together than attempting to collect these bounties alone. Even split four ways, the paltry sum rewarded is far better than winding up dead and forgotten. Also, once our duties are tended to, there's a matter of some place here that may or may not hold something more valuable than rat claws."

[ooc: 2 CLW grant 1d8+4 healing (Augment Healing Feat) The Lesser Vigor spell will be cast as normal (no extension) and will last 12 rounds granting fast healing 1.]

[Flagg Thornington]

Finn smiles as his wound closes and his vigor is returned. "Thank you daughter of Pelor, I would be glad to accompany you. What business are you attending to if not slaying rats? Perhaps some treasure hunting?" Finn's eyes gleam at the thought of some spare coin.

[Rockwolf]

Sophia shrugs at the mention of treasure.

"Well, like I said, there may or may not be valuables at the end of this venture. Personally, I doubt that there will be much more than a few nice pewter plates. However, the important thing is checking the wells. Have to search for remnants of the disease that caused this section to be closed off in the first place. If all three wells come up clean, the city council may consider reopening this area as a livable habitat. As for the part you'd be interested in... well, there might be something valuable, but I really doubt it. It's not like people wouldn't have come here before us to search out rumors of valuables, and this area's been closed off for quite some time. Likely, whatever treasures that were there, aren't anymore, but we'll give it a look before returning to the gates with our reports."

[BigRedRod]

As Harald separates each rat from its paw, Meleaga gives each corpse a quick look over for anything interesting, useful or valuable. Unfortunately this particular gang of rat-warriors seem to have been a savage and primitive lot. Most wear nothing but their long shaggy coats of fur, encrusted in all manner of filth which neither man feels very comfortable in touching. A few wear leather strips on their wrists and legs but they serve only decorative purposes and do not manage to perform especially well in that field. One has a random wooden shape on a leather thong around its neck, although if it has a function Meleaga is unable to guess what.

Harald finishes his task with five bloody paws in one hand and look of disgust on his face.

[SponkleofInfini]

"Hmm what is this then, perhaps a mark of leadership..."

Meleaga trails off thinking aloud, finally deciding to take the item from the creatures neck and placing it in his pocket.

[Flagg Thornington]

"Mylady I saw a well not far from here on my way through this district. I rounded a corner and walked into an ambush. These rats are extremely stealthy even during daylight. Perhaps you could tell me your names and then we can travel to the nearest well."
Finn is still amazed at the god-given powers of devout healers, though he has been healed many times before.

[BigRedRod]

With introductions completed, the four leave the corpses of the rat-creatures strewn across the cobbled street and press onwards toward the first well. Each member of the party makes an occasional glance backwards, or up at the rooftops in search of any signs that there are more rats on their way.

Leaving the main street and entering a small alley, wide enough for single-file, it is possible to see the small common which should contain the well. Taking the lead, Harald pauses at the end of the alley and peers forward cautiously to avoid walking in to an ambush.

Once, the common would have been little more than an area of bare earth, dotted with a few patches of grass, with a well at the centre. Time without usage though has transformed the ten foot square open to the sky in to a sprawling mass of vegetation. Wild yellow grass reaches up to two feet tall, while the walls of surrounding buildings are covered in long dead thorned creepers. The well itself is barely noticeable in the midst of the dead winter garden, broad-leafed ivy is wrapped around the rotting wooden cover, while the stonework itself alternates between thorned creepers and patches of exciting fungi.

[SponkleofInfini]

"Hmm dosent this look look inviting, let's get this over with."

The others find Meleaga looking around cautiously.

[Flagg Thornington]

The dark-haired rogue cleans his rapier and sheaths it. He retreives his bow as he walks along silently in the direction of the well. When they arrive at the overgrown courtyard Finn sweeps the perimeter with his eyes. He checks for other passage into the common area, and tries to find some cover.

I'd be on the rooftops...perhaps behind that tower there. His minds weighs each nook and cranny for potential snipers. He carefully steps through the foliage along the edge of the courtyard. Finn's blue eyes dart between his footsteps, the rooftops, and the courtyard around him.

[The Alcotroll]

Harald moves with the rogue, gesturing for Sophia to guard Meleaga, looking around at the alleys and streets leading into the courtyard, ready to move at the first sign of movement.

[BigRedRod]

Entering the overgrown courtyard, the eyes of the four dart between each and every filth-encrusted window, rooftop and other potential hiding place. Five different narrow alleyways force their way between the huddled buildings to reach the public common and well.

Something crunches noisily beneath Finn's boot. Hidden in the thick sickly green to rot brown rainbow of wild grass is what appears to a pile of bones. Shards of aged skull are all that is left of where the rogue placed his foot. Crouching down, Finn finds the skeleton of a child no older then nine years lies in the dead winter vegetation, a few tatters of cloth still cling to the bones. The death was not recent, although the crushing of the skull gives things an extra layer of finality.

Quickly two other skeletons become obvious. Also children, although these two have not have the misfortune of Finn standing on them, not more than a few feet away from the first. Looking closely, the rogue and the cleric notice that one of the child skeletons has been gnawed at, although neither can offer much insight as to what exactly it was that left the marks.

Apart from the remains of three dead children lying not far from the well, there is little else of interest which the group notice. No rats seem to hiding in the shadows, in fact it seems like nothing has been in this small common for many years.

[Rockwolf]

Sophia dips her eyes and whispers a brief prayer to Pelor for the sin of leaving dead children without a burial.

"This is terrible, just terrible. What about that well? Maleaga? Any signs of remaining disease or poison?"

[SponkleofInfini]

"I don't know how I could possibly tell you tha...Harald would you care to have a drink?"

Meleaga laughs concealing his smile behind his hand, turning back to Sophia;

"However to my knowledge I thought priests were gifted in the art of dispelling poisons and disease?"

[Rockwolf]

Sophia smiles at Meleaga.

"Well, I could have a look, but I won't be able to do anything right this moment, I'll take a sample from this well, and we can analyze it back at the temple."

Sophia then looks at the rotting well structure, looking for a bucket, or something that can be lowered down to get enough water to fill a canteen, during this time, she drinks her own water flask filled with pure water, and offers the rest to those assembled. Any left over will be dumped out.

[BigRedRod]

A rather sorry looking earthenware bucket sits beside the well, the simple glazed clay object is partially filled with stagnant brown water. After a little tugging to free it from the iron grip of the creepers and emptying out the liquid (which is followed by a clump of mysterious black humus), Sophia is able to attach it to the ancient rope and begin lowering it in to the black depths.

The well is extraordinarily deep but eventually the bucket returns to the surface brimming with water that has a barely perceivable green tinge.

[Rockwolf]

Wrinkling her nose at the filmy water, Sophia fills her waterskin with the potentially hazardous sample. After securing the stopper, she vigorously rubs her hands off with dirt and dry weeds, then proceeds to clean off the outside of the waterskin in the same way. Once the container is relatively dry on the outside, she ties it to the outside of her pack and turns to the rest of the group.

"Okay, that's one, which well is this on the map? I'll carry the sample from this one, and have the other samples carried by another person, so we can try to keep track of which sample is from which well. Now, which way to the other ones?"

[Flagg Thornington]

"Mylady this is the only well I passed by on my way in here. Perhaps a map would help our situation."

[The Alcotroll]

"Map... uh... did anyone pick up a map..?"

"If I remember rightly, there's one well at the far end of the district, near one of the main streets. The other one is in the square outside the kidnapper's lair."

Harald gives Meleaga a jovial nudge in the ribs, "Remember wizard? The one you wanted to climb down."

[BigRedRod]

Without a map and in unfamiliar territory only one sensible course of action remains; heading to the well outside the building in which the Red Moon Cultists who kidnapped Celeste made their lair.

Leaving the square behind with its skeletons and dying plant growth, Harald leads the way. Following the trial of feathers had been easy in comparison to attempting to recall the entire journey from memory. Often the group stop and stare around uncertainly, Harald and Meleaga stare around at cobblestones and buildings bathed in the grey light of a winter's day attempting to picture it as the night time scene through which they had moved in pursuit of arsonists, murderers and kidnappers. Sophia attempts to recall the map which Cassio had pointed out each well on while Finn merely waits for his companions to make a decision and keeps an eye out for the rat-creatures.

The burned remains of the tavern send waves of relief over the wizard and warrior as the clouded skies above decide that yes, today is a day that needs a sprinkling of rain. Walking through yet more narrow winding alleys, the group emerge at a small ten foot square courtyard. Brown leaves, broken tiles and fallen bricks still cover the group. And apart from the mouth of the alley only one route out of the small courtyard remains, the broken double doors marking the start of the basement where the cult had made their home, where Sophia has spent more than couple of unpleasant days.

Rain falls lightly upon the ground, although it starts to feel like this is just the warm up and the heavens are about to really open upon the fair city of Edinway. The well remains where it had stood in days previous and although the rope still looks sturdy and usable dangling in to the dark depths, there is no bucket lying to hand nearby.

[SponkleofInfini]

Taking a swig of water, Meleaga then pours the rest upon the ground; emptying his water pouch.

"We can use my water pouch to precure the next sample, however will need something to get the water from the well."

[The Alcotroll]

Tipping the others a wink, Harald heads for the caved-in door.

"If I remember rightly, there's a soup pot in the kitchen."

Sword at the ready, he cautiously re-enters the cellar to retrieve said item.

[Flagg Thornington]

Finn draws his rapier and stalks into the cellar after Harald leaving the others to keep on eye on the area near the second well. He pauses just as he steps out of the sunlight letting his eyes adjust. The rogue takes in the cramped quarters and lags a few feet behind to avoid stepping on Harald's heels.

[SponkleofInfini]

Meleaga stays by the well, knowing it shouldn't take to long to to retrieve a pot from the kitchen within the hideout.

[Rockwolf]

Sophia says nothing, merely stares at the well, ocassionally giving a furtive glance towards the place that was her prison and torture chamber for the few weeks that seemed like years.

Fighting memories that she would rather leave buried takes its toll upon her, and through choking tears, she turns to Meleaga.

"I, I cannot stay near this place. I'll be, just over there."

Holding her shield and mace in a white-knuckled grip, the young priestess walks around the corner just to keep the building out of view, collapses to the ground against a stone walled building, and surrenders to her emotions and memories. Softly she weeps into her cold, unyeilding, steel-clad hands.

[BigRedRod]

In the quiet drizzle the group separates. The dark unwelcoming depths soon envelop Harald and Finn removing them from his line of sight. A moment later there is a flash of light as Harald pulls a torch free from it's sconce and after a few attempts manages to relight it.

The stench of death lingers in the basement although as the pair move through the damp bare-brick corridors there are no bodies to be found. Someone has taken away the dead leaving only a blood stained with red. Rounding the corner and stepping through the doorway a slumped form becomes obvious lying against the kitchen doorframe. Cautiously stepping forwards the form is clearly that of a departed rat creature, although this one is clothed and in its hand it still clutches a long dagger.

How it died is a mystery, no marks are visible on its body and yet its face, as inhuman as it is, carries a frozen expression of absolute terror. The cool air of the basement begins to feel as the winters Harald remembers from his homeland did. Looking in to the main chamber for any explanation, the pair see little, most of the chamber where Sophia and Guildenstern were held along with where the cult leader slew Swires is enshrouded and in darkness. Finn catches sight of something within in the kitchen and motion for Harald to move his torch closer.

Another of the rats lies in a crumpled heap upon the ground, and the air of the room carries the thick odour of rotting food. The cooking pot lies upon the stone floor surrounded by what was once a stew. Surveying the debris of the room, the pair quickly conclude that it has been partially searched as various household objects lie scattered upon the ground and a large sack filled with miscellaneous junk and what food hadn't spoiled lies beside the dead rat. In the gloom, Finn notices a bucket and Harald's torch begins to splutter noisily.

...

Hunched with her armoured hands on her face and her knees tucked in to her chest Sophia cries as the memories she tried so hard to forget come back to haunt her. Lost in her own world it eventually becomes clear to Sophia that the sound of her weeping has been joined by a myriad of similar sounds.

...

Of the events in the alley or in the basement, Meleaga knows nothing. The rain drops down on him but he remains in the small square with his eyes searching for any threats. Looking up at the rooftop, a shudder runs down Meleaga's spine as a sudden chill fills the air.

[The Alcotroll]

"What new devilry is this..." Harald whispers uneasily, sweeping his fading torch about the room.

"Get that bucket and let's leave."

[Flagg Thornington]

Finn grabs the bucket and leads the way out of the room, being careful not to exit the torch's radiance. He pauses, bucket in hand, and looks behind as he exits the cellar door. "I take this place has been disturbed since you were last here."

[The Alcotroll]

Sticking close to the Rogue and casting superstitions glances around him, Harald heads for the exit at best speed.

Outside he casts the torch aside and takes a deep breath.

"Those Rats weren't there before. And I don't want to meet whatever killed them."

In a quieter tone he adds, "And it wasn't this cold either..."

[Flagg Thornington]

"Where's Sophia? We should be moving as soon as we retrieve the water."
Finn hurries to the well, where the mage is looking at the rooftops, to procure a sample of the water.

[The Alcotroll]

Turning back to face the cellar door, Harald stands with shield braced and sword ready, as if expecting all the devils of hell to pour forth.

[Rockwolf]

Sophia reigns in her sobs briefly and looks around. Her emotions are strong, but being in a dangerous place does wonders for a speedy change of attitude.

Lifting eyes swollen and red from unfettered tears, Sophia looks around from where she sits, her body tensed and ready to climb to her feet in an emergency.

"H-hello? Is somebody there?"

[BigRedRod]

Meleaga's peaceful time in the small, debris filled courtyard is shattered as his two companions return from their cooking pot collection. Finn races for the well grasping a bucket, which is quickly attached to the well and lowered in to the dark depths.

Looking to the cellar doorway, the wizard sees Harald toss his torch to the ground, before the light source has even touched the damp tiles the Jarl has drawn sword and shield. The rain picks up slightly and the torch sends up a final wisp of smoke as it is extinguished by the wetness. Both Harald and Melaga see only darkness in the cellar as Finn busily winds the bucket downwards.

At first the three believe it just be the sound of the ever increasing rainfall, but the noise comes from within the basement. An indistinct sound only barely recognisable as a voice, the darkness twists slightly as if something within moved and then a moment later there is only the sound of the rain and a still gloom within the cellar.

...

Opening her eyes, Sophia's haunting memories are pushed aside as she quickly assesses any danger. The alleyway is empty and the only tears are those pouring from the sky. A few clattering sounds accompanied by faint words come from the direction of the well, it sounds like Harald and Finn have returned from their journey in to Sophia's former prison.

[Flagg Thornington]

Finn's hands have never functioned so well under pressure. He hustles madly while his heart beats rapidly, accelerated by the things his mind is imaging. The well-traveled rogue casts his eyes back toward the cellar repeatedly while he waits to hear the pan hit the water. Finally, now back up. Finn nimbly works the well winch as fast and carefully as possible.

[The Alcotroll]

Harald shifts position and glares at the darkened enterance.

"Come then, if you're coming." he growls at the aperture.

[OOC: Ready action if I can.]

[Rockwolf]

Turning her face to the sky, Sophis spends a few moment allowing the rain to wash away her tears, then gathers up her gear and her wits and moves to join the others.

"Do you have the sample? I don't want to spend much more time here... what's going on? Why do you have your weapons drawn?"

[SponkleofInfini]

Meleaga aids Finn in drawing a sample of the well water, keeping an eye on the cellar door. Sensing possible danger incoming Meleaga utters some words in a strange tongue and clicks his fingers. Four magical lights are summoned around the mage, they twirl around his form in a chaotic motion before erupting into the cellar. With a renewed source of light perhaps they may see the threat before it reaches them.

[OOC: Casting Dancing Lights and sending them into the cellar to provide light for those by the door. Expandables has been updated.]

[BigRedRod]

While Harald growls at the now static darkness, Meleaga takes a slightly more proactive course of investigation. The four blobs of light orbit around one another in complex and seemingly random motion as they drift towards the cellar.

Behind the pair, Finn retrieves a bucket brimming with cool, fairly clean looking, water. Taking the wizard's emptied waterskin, he sets about filling it with a large sample of the possibly-plague ridden liquid.

The lights enter the gloom illuminating the damp red-brick walls that form the slim corridor from which Harald and Finn emerged. If something was there then it is no longer.

[Rockwolf]

Intrigued by the mens antics, Sophia approaches slowly.

"What's going on here? Is there someone in there?"

[The Alcotroll]

"There was." snarls Harald, not best pleased at being made a fool of, "I swear it."

"Do we have that water? Then what are we waiting for. Let's get out of here!"

[Rockwolf]

Sophia nods quickly.

"Yes, let's please go, I have no desire of being anywhere near this place, ever again."

[Flagg Thornington]

Finn turns to the party and nods, "I've secured a sample so let's be gone." He cuts the pan off the winch in case they need it at the next well, he slings the full waterskin over his shoulder and readies his bow for another bit of wandering through the defunct district.

[BigRedRod]

The clouds above continue to throw down a shower of freezing rain as the four leave the well and the mysterious cellar behind. With Finn holding the bucket in order to avoid a repeat of earlier mistakes the other three are left debating the path according to their fuzzy memories of Cassio's map.

Water runs between the cobblestones vanishing down tiny drains in to the mysterious and ancient system of sewers beneath the city. Finding your way to a location based on seeing map only once is a challenge, doing so in the driving rain while having to keep ears and eyes open for rat-creature ambushes is a whole new level of difficulty.

Luckily, the well lies beside one of the main streets through the small district. Meaning that the search does eventually end with the party simply stumbling across the remains of a well built in a small area by the road which is free from buildings. Little remains of the well however, only a circle of red bricks remains with no mechanism to raise of lower buckets.

The area around the damaged well is littered with a wide away of objects. A pair of buckets lie discarded on the ground making "plink" noises as rain drops strike them from above. A long length of metal chain lies in something between a coil and a heap next to one of the buckets. One end has been attached to the handle of one of the buckets. The rest of the area is littered with all kinds of debris, pieces of wood, rotting scraps of food, even the remains of cart without the wheels and other general debris. This area seems to have become a dumping ground for the random items left behind by the plague victims.

This section of the street has rather more doors then most others, clearly buildings were constructed with the advantage of easy fresh water access. Most of the doors have long rotted to leave little more than rusted hinges, although one or two built of sturdier stuff remain in doorways.

[Flagg Thornington]

Finn reaches into his pack and retreives a silken coil of rope. He lowers it into the depths of the well after attaching the bucket standing back a couple of feet from the edge. He leans his bow on his upright leg where it'd be easy to quickly draw it

[The Alcotroll]

Harald takes up a guard position nearby Meleaga, leaving Sophia to do the same with Finn.

[Rockwolf]

Holding her shield above her head for a little shelter from the rain, Sophia looks for threats from the street, as well as a possible building to take shelter in once they have a bucket full of water from the final well.

[BigRedRod]

With no winch mechanism and the constant downpour of rain, gathering a sample of the well water is frustrating. Twice the bucket swings awkwardly as it ascends from the depths carrying a sample and spills its contents back in to the black depths.

Eventually Finn manages to get a bucket out of the well which still contains enough water to gather a sample from. The group are truly sodden from the downpour and the rainstorm shows no signs of letting up in the immediate future

[Flagg Thornington]

After painstakingly retreiving the bucket of possibly tainted water the rogue moves from the center of the cluttered courtyard. Finn motions for the searchers to follow him. After briefly examing the surroundings he heads to the building on the right at the top of the courtyard. "We can keep watch of the courtyard from in there, 't least 'till the rain lets up." He pauses at the doorway peering inside before stepping through the threshold.

[Rockwolf]

Sophia offers no arguements against taking shelter in a solid structure, and quickly follows Finn into the building.

[SponkleofInfini]

"...It is just rain."

With a brief sigh and roll of the eyes Meleaga reluctantly follow the pair into the building.

[BigRedRod]

With Harald taking ownership of the third sample, the four head inside one of the more intact looking structures to get out of the pouring rain. Finn pushes aside the door, a wooden construction of indeterminate original colour set on hinges which seem to have avoided rusting only through stubbornness, and steps in to a dark gloomy room. Must and damp assault his nostrils along with faint traces of something else ... something that takes him a while to put his finger on. Blood.

The little light that makes it through the grey clouds fails to get very far in to the house. The windows are shuttered leaving the only source of light as the doorway. Looking around in the gloom it is nearly impossible to judge exactly what the building was before the plague, but the important is now it is mostly dry. A repetitive tapping noise indicates that some of the rainwater is in fact getting through somewhere.

[Flagg Thornington]

"Does someone have a torch? It smells like death in here. Let's not walk in blindly."
Andrellew pauses at the door letting his eyes adjust before proceeding further.

[SponkleofInfini]

"Stupid question..."

Meleaga utters the same incantation as he did previously and with a click of his fingers another four orbs of light dance around the wizard. Clicking his fingers once more the orbs move into the derelict home with startling speed.

[BigRedRod]

The gloom is instantly penetrated by the four glowing balls of arcane energy. It takes a moment for the eyes of the four to adjust to the sudden illumination but gradually things become much clearer. The room is strikingly bare and quite small. No furnishings of any kind are present except for a small table pushed into one corner which three stools lying on the ground beside it. A large hole in the floor, almost a four foot across circle, dominates one corner, no doubt there was a cellar beneath this structure too, one which has started to swallow the building above it after gradually degrading for so long.

Brownish-red stains cover the wooden planks which make up the floor, random splashes of blood which are beyond the party's skill to date except to say there weren't made recently enough still to be wet. One of the red brick walls has crumbled to the extent were with, a little wriggling, Finn and Meleaga could most likely fit through.

Unfortunately the wizard's spell provides no heat and with each of the party members being thoroughly soaked from the rain the cold is magnified tenfold.

[Flagg Thornington]

Finn draws his wet cloak tight and creeps over to the cracked wall peering through in the dark hovel nextdoor.
"Can you send one of those lights in here and someone better have a look down the hole in the rotted floor."

[SponkleofInfini]

Meleaga clicks twice; as he does the orbs break drift away from him, going through the crack in the wall to provide illumination for Finn. And then with another pair of clicks down the hole in the floor.

[BigRedRod]

With Meleaga's four orbs of light roving about inside the structure, the party are gifted to an insight at what lies beyond the two obvious exits; the gap in the wall and the gaping void in the floor.

The building beyond the crumbling wall looks to have been a shop before the onset of the plague , although little remains from that time except a few wooden blocks of shelves and a heavy desk sat in the middle of the floorspace. Without venturing through the wall, or heading outside in to the rain and through the doorless portal, it is hard to learn a great deal else. The roof has seen far better days and consequently the floor of the shop is now covered in several large murky puddles.

The orbs drift back through the store, bobbing through the air at quite an impressive rate. Meleaga keeps pace with them but halts a little short of the edge of the pit as they glide downwards. Possibly once there was a trapdoor leading down in to the cellar but there is no evidence of that now. Looking down, Meleaga sees only a few barrels sat in a cellar no more than five feet high, but extending outwards to at least to fill the area beneath this building and possibly the shop next door also. Without climbing in to the uncomfortable space, it is hard to see anymore. Before the wizard can command his orbs of soft illumination to return the spell suddenly ends leaving the four stood in the gloom once more.

[The Alcotroll]

Sword in hand and shield strapped tight to his arm, Harald moves to flank Meleaga, motioning for Sophia to do likewise with Finn.

[Rockwolf]

Sophia, uncomfortable in the darkness of the rotting building, touches her holy symbol and completes an incantation, causing the Light of Pelor to burst forth from the silver emblem.

Once the light fills the room, she readies her mace.

[ooc: casting Light]

[Flagg Thornington]

When Sophia's channeling illuminates the are again Finn turns to her rapier in hand. "I'd like to have a better look in the adjoining building. Let's head through the front door just to make sure we're not ambushed by something coming through the crumbling wall."

[BigRedRod]

Heading back outside into the pouring rain and grey light of day, the four hurry through the doorless doorway which leads in to the ancient store. Water drips in through multiple gaps in what once passed for a roof and the four splash through the puddles as they fan out to have a brief search.

Pieces of broken glass and pottery sit half-submerged in a spreading puddle before one of the large and very heavy looking wooden blocks of shelves. Random pieces of unidentifiable debris litter the floor, having changed from their original form in to what they are now after having been exposed to years of neglect.

The central wooden desk has suffered from vandalism at some time during the past. A collection of mouldy pieces of wood partially covered with something that may have once been leather rest on the damp ground where the shopkeeper would have no doubt spent much of his day sitting and keeping on eye on his customers' light fingers. Something was once contained at the foot of the desk, possibly hidden behind a fake panel and most likely where the shopkeeper would keep at least some of his fortune. Now there is only a smashed hollow in the heavy dark wood.

Behind the desks one of the shelf blocks has fallen to the ground. Two large sections of the brick wall have been pulled free where short iron rods, buried in to the wood of the shelf block, were once driven in order to prevent the accidental fall of the heavy wooden piece of furniture and most likely the instant death of anybody stood in its way.

[Rockwolf]

Sophia looks around, poking at the debris with her toe.

"Anyone feel like building a fire?"

[The Alcotroll]

Harald kicks at a nearby puddle. "It's a little wet in here," he opines, "It might be better to find somewhere drier."

[Flagg Thornington]

"It might be better if we got out of this district completely. As the wizard said it's only water afterall. We should probably avoid a fire because I'm not in the mood for any more adventure today. Let's sit tight in here till the storm lets up outside. Where are you planning on heading to?"
Finn wipes the moisture from his brow and draws back his hair in one liquid motion. The young wanderer moves near the front door with his rapier ready to stick whatever unfortunately chooses to snoop through the front door.
He keeps an eye out the front and another on the crack in the wall.

[BigRedRod]

Seeking a drier place to rest, such as the building adjacent to the crumbling remains of the shop, the foursome of adventurers step outside once again in to the pouring rain. Andrellew's foot lands with a splash on the ground and he suddenly pauses ahead of the other three.

[ooc: read your PMs if you've got them]

[Flagg Thornington]

From his position at the door Finn strains his ears and eyes when suddenly the look on his face turns sour. He waves his left hand, garnering the others attention. Motioning silently he points nextdoor and holds up two fingers followed by drawing his finger across his throat.
They smell us, but can't see us. We'll have to be quick with it.
Andrellew waits silently ready to strike decisively.

[The Alcotroll]

Frowning at Finn's signal in vague incomprehension, Harald readies his blade nevertheless.

Although he can't tell what the man is communicating, his face conveys clearly that it's nothing good.

[BigRedRod]

With the others hunching in silent confusion Finn silently takes a long breath and holds it, the seconds tick by like hours. A few grunts and squeaks forced together in to words reach the ears of the party as the door to the building which they initially sought shelter within swings open on its noisy hinge. The noise is unmistakable, the horrid chatter of the vermin-people.

There is little more than a blur and a rat man is falling to the ground outside the door, blood spilling from an open puncture wound in his throat. The rogue deftly pulls his blade back as his eyes dart toward the remaining rat, frozen in place in the doorway.

Rather than the hulking rat-monsters the party stumbled upon attacking Finn, these rats are of the type the party met earlier in their time together. The kind who are capable and more than willing to use weapons, as evidenced by the club lying beside the now-deceased rat and the short sword being held limply in the second's paw.

Initative
Harald
Meleaga
Rat [short sword]
Finn
Sophia

Map
Drop this text at http://www.irony.com/java/mmee
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[The Alcotroll]

Capitalising on Finn's success, Harald moves past Finn and closes the distance with the second rat, swinging his sword at its neck as he does so.

[BigRedRod]

In one flowing movement, Harald rushes sideways and raises his sword. The diagonal sweep strikes slightly lower than he would have hoped, digging deeply into the shoulder of the surprised-looking creature. Passing straight through flesh and bone the blade continues on its path upwards before running out of momentum half way through the neck of the beast.

As the humanoid rat lets out a weak death screech, the northerner tugs his blade back and lets the body fall to the ground. Its shortsword clatters to the ground leaving the pouring rain as the only sound for the moment.

[Flagg Thornington]

"Nice hack man, just not as clean as mine." Finn chuckles at his own jest.

"I heard them speaking before they caught our scent. They were complaining about having to keep watch. There's no telling how many more lurk in the darkness beyond that cellar."

[The Alcotroll]

Harald shrugs, stooping to perform the messy business of amputating paws again.

"If they're as worthless as these two, then why are we delaying?"

[Flagg Thornington]

Finn shrugs when he sees Harald amputating the paws.

All I know is that where I come from that might be considered some strange fetish.

When the grisly task is completed the rogue bends low searching the bodies and collecting the sword to sell later.

"Down the cellar then?"

[SponkleofInfini]

Meleaga sighs...

"Why are we still here...really, we have the samples, a small collection of claws...why not head back. Not only does it look as if they have picked up on our scent but there may be more nearby. I would prefer to risk a cold rather then another encounter with these rat creatures..."

[Rockwolf]

Sophia shrugs briefly.

"Well, I just wanted to get out of the rain. I second the motion that we return to civilization. I've had more than enough fun for today. Besides, we can always come back when the weather is a little less... miserable. Maybe next time we'll remember to bring a map."

[The Alcotroll]

Shrugging, Harald nods his assent.

"Fair enough then. Back to civilisation-" he spits derisively, "-it is then."

[BigRedRod]

Letting what lies beneath the structure and the origin of the pair of rats remain as a mystery, the four turn back to the wide cobbled street as the rain pours down upon them.

The only sounds are those of the rain drops impacting on various surfaces along the way. Wetness and Coldness replace any other feelings as the party hurry along the deserted streets. Tired, cold and hungry the group round another corner and are greeted by another collection of closely packed buildings rising up on either side of the cobbled pathway. It is still strange at how completely life has chosen to abandon this quarter, apart from the ratmen no other life except occasional patches of moss and seemingly dead thorned creepers have chosen to move in where humans once lived.

The sky above has lost its uniform grey as a few breaks in the cloud appear, maybe in an hour or so the rain will have stopped. The sudden appearance of small figure in the road ahead sends each of the four suddenly stopping in surprise, the driving rain and desire to return to a warm inn for a place to sit by the fire and something warm to eat distracted all from their duties.

Despite the overlarge brown leather cloak it is very obvious that the figure is one of the rat-creatures. It's white nose pokes out from beneath the hood and the grey light of day is more than enough to give general shape to the partially concealed features. Sounds of falling rain fade in to the background as the possibility of further violence rears its ugly head.

Slowly, the creature opens both of its paws, revealing that they are empty. Rain bounces down upon the wet cloak as the creature stands motionless before the group.

[SponkleofInfini]

As the creature presents itself to the group Meleaga's hand drifts into his pocket; gripping the item he obtained earlier form one fo the rat creatures.

"Do you speak?"

[Flagg Thornington]

Like lightning Finn whips out an arrow and points his loaded bow at the rat man.
He eyes say everything, malice and intention, as they scan for other threats.

[Ready an arrow attack +5(point blank) d6+1dmg]

[BigRedRod]

Pausing with mouth half open as Finn draws a weapon a moment of unease exists as both parties wait for the scene to erupt in to violence. Rain continues to patter down and eventually the cloaked white rat stutters out a few words in the tongue most familiar to the four. The tone of the voice is hard to judge given the slow method of speech and odd spin put on each syllable, it sounds oddly confident.

"No Weapon. Just talk. Out of wet."

One of the empty paws gestures sideways towards a gloomy open doorway. As the creature moves the cloak shifts and all get a better view of what lies beneath the wet leather. A rat-creature covered entirely in white fur, fur broken by an odd runic text of brand marks across all of the visible body. On its head sits the same symbol seen by Sophia, Harald, Meleaga and Guildenstern as they left the lair of the Moon Bringers via the secret entrance and narrowly avoided being noticed a pair of white rats.

[SponkleofInfini]

Meleaga frowns at the creatures suggestion, unsure if he can trust its intentions he chooses to air on the side of caution.

"No...you can say what you need to say here."

[Rockwolf]

Sophia nods in grim agreement.

"We've had enough surprises for today."

[Flagg Thornington]

Finn says nothing as he aims carefully at the rune covered fuzzball.
Maybe there'll be no more bloodshed today...It's usually best not to let spellcasters speak.

[BigRedRod]

Offering no more protest than a single loud sneeze the creature lowers its arms and speaks in its broken words once again,
"We not from this. You from this. We not want this."
Pausing to consider its words for a moment the creature rolls its shoulders to adjust the position of the cloak,
"Middle tower is way back. Attrox guard ... not let us through. Orraka not together, but if way is clear then we make them go too."

The hooded figure tilts his head sideways and waits for the party to respond.

[SponkleofInfini]

Wiping the rain from his brow, Meleaga attempts to decipher what the creature is saying.

"So what you're trying to say is, you are not from this land or plane. The tower you are referring to is the way back, guarded by something called an Attrox or named Attrox. What I do not understand is who or what are Orakka?"

[Rockwolf]

Sophia taps a gauntleted finger against the haft of her mace.

"I think what it's trying to say is that the Attrox and the Orroka are different clans of rat-men. The other ones we've fought weren't white, and definitely didn't have those runic scars. Or... the scarred ones are their Wise Ones. Hard to say.."

Sophia tries to smile comfortingly as she hangs her mace non-threateningly from her hip, then speaks slowly and clearly to the creature.

"You want to go home? Is that what you want? If we help you remove Attrox from the tower, will your people leave so our people can come back to this part of the city?"

[The Alcotroll]

"Orroka..." ruminates Harald. "Like... Orcs?"

[BigRedRod]

The rat gives an uncertain grunt and eventully hazards a nod, although it isn't very clear to which of the party the creature is expressing agreement or whether it really understands. Looking sideways, the creature takes half a step as it readjusts its position on the wet cobbles.
"Help then now?"

[SponkleofInfini]

"Eager aren't we? ... We have commitments that must be seen to first. However, we can return in three days to aid you, this is the best we can do."

[BigRedRod]

Sneezing again the creature nods and without a single word of thanks it turns on its heel and sprints away, turning suddenly and vanishing down a side street.

The party are left stood out in the driving rain, slightly confused and very wet but in possession of three water samples which will need to be examined for traces of contamination before the various important officials of Edinhumber can start discussing the vermin problem and how to reopen the district of Broken Tower back for habitation in an effort to ease Edinway's ever increasing levels of overcrowding.

[SponkleofInfini]

"Now, let's get these samples back. I will feel much better once I am having a hot meal by the fire."

With that Meleaga presses on, eager to leave the quaranteened area.

[Flagg Thornington]

Finn agrees with the mage whose name he does not know.
Pushing on after todays toils seems excessive and I'm ready for a pint.
After the rat's hasty departure Andrellew slinks along with the others paying special attention to his ever changing surroundings. The professional burglar keeps quiet making mental notes of their course through the winding and abandoned streets.

[BigRedRod]

Leaving the abandoned neighbourhood is a far easier task than exploring the maze of narrow sidestreets and alleys was in order to locate the three wells. With one central street meandering its way around the edge of the sealed region, all the party need do is follow it until the narrower road containing the doorway back to the city proper appears. Although there may be faster routes to be found by cutting through the heart of the plague-sealed area, without a map such a path seems out of the question.

Eventually, the rain stops pounding down from above and settles in to being a constant fine mist of wetness which ensures that everything the group are carrying is completely saturated with water. By the time that Harald catches site of the chained door he lacks the energy to do little more than grunt and alter his course.

A young child stands in the fine falling rain and appears quite shocked as four damp figures emerge from the small iron door which marks the beginning of the plague-ridden neighbourhood. The loud click of the lock snapping into place on the door sends the child scurrying off. The street in both directions is empty, it seems the residents of Edinhumber know better than to stand outside in a rainstorm waiting to catch their deaths.

The long trek through the wet streets towards Sophia's cathedral at the central plaza is driven by little more than grim determination. Most of the stall holders seem to have given up on plying their trade today, although those that remain have large canopies constructed above them in order to shelter their customers.

Moving through the reduced crowd, Sophia leads the group past the large main doors of the Cathedral and to one the side entrance which leads directly in to the kitchen.

The sudden warmth and light is a welcome change from the misery outside, all but Finn are quickly recognised and a booming female voice interrupts before anyone can speak,
"Sophia Franchesca! What are you and your friends doing out in the rain ,you silly girl?"

Silence reigns over the kitchen for an instant as Sister Malta the large devout nun who had been placed in charge of feeding the Cathedral, strides from her position in deep amongst all of the cooking to stand before the four wet figures,
"Well? You'd best sit yourselves down hadn't you? I'll bring you some tea and then one of you can explain why you turn up here looking like drowned rats in my kitchen."

With a wave of her arm she indicates the now empty end of the table nearest the stove.

[Rockwolf]

Sophia, in a rare instance of mirth, glances back at her companions at Malta's mention of wet rats.

"Yes, some tea would be be wonderful Sister Malta, and if it wouldn't be too much trouble, some towels."

Taking off her soaked cloak, Sophia goes about the arduous task of slowly removing her armor, setting each piece carefully down before wrapping her hair in a dry towel.

"Hey everyone, I'm going to change into some dry clothes, I'll also ask the kitchen for some bowls of porridge with honey, if you're hungry."

[Flagg Thornington]

"Mylady I'm famished after today's toils. Something to eat would be most delightful. Something to drink would put me in greater debt to your hospitality."
The words roll off Finn's slick tounge as he removes his pack and cloak before sitting down next to the warm embrace of the glowing hearth.

[SponkleofInfini]

Meleaga nods and sits quietly, the encounter with the rat creature plays on his mind.

[BigRedRod]

Sophia returns to her three companions to find that each has a cup of steaming tea set before them and a fourth rests at an unoccupied seat. Taking her seat, the cleric notes that even without a change of clothes the hearth has taken away the sodden look of misery from her friends.

Moments later, Sister Malta strides across the room bearing four large bowls of porridge. The large nun begins to talk even before the first bowl has reached the table,
"Now then sister. I've met Harald and your friend the wizard before, but who is this charming lad? I like my men with more meat on them, like Harald here, he's what a man should be, if the Pelor didn't have other plans for me-"
The sentence is finished with a wink and a broad smile directed toward the Jarl.

"I don't have all day to spend with idle chatter. Introduce your friend and let me know what had you tramping about in the storm."

[Rockwolf]

Sophia's jaw drops at Sister Malta's rather uncouth comments. After a moment, she regains her composure and even manages a slight chuckle.

"Sister Malta! Don't let Father Drohan hear you saying things like that, or he'll have you in a 'belt' before you can blink. Now, this is Finn, a young man we found facing off against some rather undesirable sorts in a rather undesireable locale. We've been helping each other out for the day, and hopefully Master Finn will join us again when we return to the quarantined quarters to finish up our investigations and a few other issues of pest control."

Sophia takes a full spoonful of the filling porridge.

"This is wonderful, thank you for the extra honey Sister. Oh, speaking of Father Drohan, I must converse with him on a matter of pestilence. Have you seen him recently?"

[The Alcotroll]

Harald makes a detailed study of his mug of tea. The reddening around those parts of his face not covered by beard is probably caused by the warmth of the hearth.

[Flagg Thornington]

Andrellew Finley smiles at his companion's introduction. He sits quietly as the exchange commences before he can even begin to answer the Sister's approximation.

I can't believe she just deemed me scrawny, I'm quite able when it's required.

"Miss I wish to thank you for your hopsitality. Kindness such as yours is hardly matched in the tales of the greatest bards."

A broad grin does little to betray Finn's true disdain for the pompous old leering hag.

[BigRedRod]

Sister Malta looks less than satisfied at Sophia's explanation of events but smiles on anyway and offers the group a hearty laugh
"A vow isn't a vow without temptation. Hmmmm... Father Drohan will be taking the evening service, you'll likely find him in his study at the moment."

The nun hovers for a moment before nodding to Finn and then the others,
"Nice to meet you young man, and good to see the rest of you again."

Turning on the spot the large nun strides back in to the depths of the large kitchen, pausing to taste something bubbling away in a large pot.

[SponkleofInfini]

The issue of whether to help the rat creature plays on meleaga's mind as he sits quietly eating his meal.

"You know I only made the deal with that rat creature to get us out of the quarantined zone without further violence. However aiding him may prove beneficial for the city. You know, I would be lying to you all if I told you I hadn't thiought of abandoning my promise to this creature..."

Returning to silence for a moment...

Such opportunities of redemption have not been put forward to me for some time, dare I pass and continue to bare this exile from my people...

[Flagg Thornington]

After the group settles in, Finn begins speaking when no staffer appears to be listening.
"Thanks again for helping me out back there in the endless maze of alleys. But I'm curious what you were up to. Perhaps there is some new reward for fetching well water in abandoned wards? Where will we go from here? I mean, if you need someone with my unique skills."
Andrellew's words are smooth and not too vocal.

[Rockwolf]

Sophia grins at the mention of water collection.

"Well, not that there's much money in collecting stale water, we're merely collecting samples to determine wether or not there is still a risk of disease in the old quarters. If the city determines the area is free of the plague, and safe for everyone, then they'll re-open the section for people who want homes. Probably going to be quite a rush on property, maybe we should take notes on the next foray into that area, maybe try and find a good property to purchase. so, anyway, that's the next step, test the water, then go back and see what can be done about those things. If we find any cultists, well, I'll take great personal pleasure in teaching them the errors of their ways."

[SponkleofInfini]

Feeling his statement being ignored by the rest of the group Meleaga curls himself around his meal.

"Such zeal you have..."

[Flagg Thornington]

"Well that certainly clears things up a bit."

Andrellew Finnley ponders his role in such a humanitarian effort while enjoying the warmth of the hearth. Not exactly the kind of job he's used to but one he's beginning to relish. Walking on the right side of the authorities has some exceptional benefits.

The simple things...the things no one mentions...simple pleasures.
The warmth of the fire and a roof over one's head.

"Wizard, I call you that because we haven't exactly been introduced. I think meeting with the white rat-men could lead to more answers about the former plague zone. If they were set on violence we would have been beset for sure. What of the tower that was mentioned?"

[SponkleofInfini]

Meleaga responds with a sly grin the party has now grown accustomed to.

"Wizard...I prefer master, however my name is Meleaga. It appears we are all in agreement in regard to the rat creature then. Let's get the samples dealt with quickly then."

Meleaga finishes his meal and waits for the others.

[The Alcotroll]

"Bah," grumbles Harald, straightening and stretching out the stiffness in his back.

"Let's get this done with then. I need a drink."

He looks askance at the mug of tea sitting half-drunk beside his chair. "One with alcohol in it, for preference."

[BigRedRod]

At Harald's comment, Sophia rises from the table and beckons for her companions to follow her to Father Drohan's study through the endless passages of old stone of ancient dark wood. Every so often a member of the church passes by, most simply offer a pleasantry and quickly move by but one or two of the younger acolytes stand and stare at Sophia and the trio she is escorting.

Large and almost black, the brass-bound wooden door of Father Drohan's study looms up at the end of one of the endless passages. A scone holds a flaming torch opposite a narrow and ornate stained glass window. Almost as soon as fist touches wood a voice answers,
"Enter"

Pushing open the heavy door reveals a small room which is barely lit by the grey sky trio of plain-glass windows. Set in two walls, the windows are the only indication to those who have not been here before that the study as at the corner of the vast church. A large tapestery of white and gold covers most of one wall, it illustrates a scene from The Story of Joliffe from the holy book of Pelor. The rest of the walls are occupied by shelves filled with books and a half dozen or so other objects, such as a silver chalice and a bone set on a velvet cushion, minor holy relics no doubt. A red curtain hangs in a doorway to the left of where the party entered, no doubt leading to the Father's private chambers.

The majority of the room is taken up by a large desk crafted from the same wood as the door. Simply in design, the desk bears little decoration bar the symbol of Pelor carved upon the front. Aside from an unlit candle there is little else but a few rolls of parchment upon the desk and a copy of the Holy Book of Pelor lying open.

Sat at the desk is Father Drohan, a small serious looking man with closely cropped black hair which is starting to see a few grey strands. His eyes show no sign of his departure from middle years however, being a vibrant green full of life, intelligence and at the moment disdain,
"Ah, Sister, it is always good to see you return."
His gaze barely touches Sophia before it returns to probing the other three,
"I apologise that I have only two chairs" He indicates for Sophia and by extension one of her fellows to be seated in the two uncomfortable looking chairs set before his desk, "It is rare for me to have many visitors unannounced. So then, how may I assist you today, Sister?"

[Rockwolf]

Sophia takes the three water samples in hand, making sure to remember which one is which. She knows which one is her canteen, by the simple leather embossing on the sides. She begins with the customary greeting of the church.

"Light of Pelor upon your brow, Father. We recently returned from a task set upon us by the city to enter the quaranteened zone of the city and attempt to determine whether or not the water in the wells still contains the disease that was feared to be within. I am unable to make that determination, but I believe you would have no troubles divining the presence any foullness within the water samples we have brought with us. Also, there is a matter of a curious group of rats which walk and talk like men, some of them white in color, with what appear to be ritualistic scars covering their bodies. We fought several of them, but one approached us in peace, and was able to speak a few words of our tongue."

[BigRedRod]

"A noble cause indeed, Sister."
For a brief moment a smile flickers across the man's face before he turns to the ask at hand. Reaching within his robe, the priest reveals a large holy symbol wrought of finest gold and silver hanging around his neck. Taking it in both hands, the priests closes his eyes and begins to pray loudly,
"Lord Pelor, bless your humble servant with sight beyond what mere mortal eyes possess. Vision to penetrate any barrier. Vision to reveal the true nature of the material world."

Father Drohan's eyes open and gleam with an odd intensity as he stares blankly toward the three samples. His grip on the holy symbol becomes white knuckled,
"Vision which may unveil hidden toxins. Vision which radiates truth. The truth which is yours and shall ever remain so..."

His voice descends to little more than a whisper until eventually his lips move soundlessly and he closes his eyes once again. For several minutes he continues his unheard prayer until eventually his voice returns,
"Praise be for the gift which thou hast imparted upon me, Lord."

The father seems almost surprised at how crowded his study is after the extended prayer, but he quickly regains his composure and tucks away his holy symbol,
"All three are free from any traces of toxin. It looks like the plague may have fled from at least one of those areas inflicted. News to be celebrated indeed. As for the second matter... Rats who walk like men? One who even speaks? Of this I know little. Perhaps you could try speaking with the wizards across the square, their archives are more likely than any to make mention of such a race. I would ask you, however, Sister to keep me informed as to anything you uncover."

After taking a moments pause, the priest ventures another query,
"Is there another matter that I might aid you with, Sister? I have a service to give shortly."

[Rockwolf]

Sophia lightly touches the simple holy symbol about her neck as she slowly rises from her chair.

"Thank you for your vision Father, we will leave you in peace and meditation, and keep you informed on further developements, may the light shine forever upon your brow."

Taking up the water flasks, Sophia sidesteps slowly away from her chair, then takes one step back, eyes downcast and curtsies formally before the powerful and wizened cleric. She then silently and slowly exits, flapping her fingers at the others to follow her out of Father Drohans study.

Once out, she quickens her step to a modest, yet brisk enough pace, until she has returned to the kitchen area. Provided everyone has followed her out, she turns and speaks.

"This is good news, the water is safe, though i still don't wish to drink from it, considering the green film. However, we should report these results as soon as possible and collect your rewards."

[The Alcotroll]

"Aye. And after that, I need a drink." adds Harald.

"What're we going to do about these rats?"

[Rockwolf]

"I suppose we do as the Father Drohan suggested, and speak of this matter with the wizards. We'll be having more than one drink after nightfall, I promise you that."

[Flagg Thornington]

"Let's get steppin' along then, my thirst has grown substantially since we entered the proper confines of the temple." The night-lifer chuckles at his own words, barely able to speak them all before his uncontrolable laughter ensues.

[SponkleofInfini]

Having remained silent for quite some time, quite a feet for an individual such as himself; Meleaga felt compelled at this moment of indecicivness...

"Oh for crying out loud give me a leash and save me some time. Sophia could you come with me to the wizards guild nearby to see if they know more about these rat creatures. Finn, Harold could you see Cassio about the water samples and the reward on the hands. After we're done we will meet you both at the pub, if we have anything to add about the rat creatures we may see Cassio ourselves before heading over for a drink and a meal."

The wizard gathers his things and makes his way the wizards guild nearby.

[BigRedRod]

The sky is a uniform sullen grey and it won't be too long before the day gives up its tenuous hold on the world completely. Setting out into the still wet square the party split in two arranging to meet at one of the taverns frequented by the less well off merchants which lies a little way down one of the side streets which extends outward from the Great Plaza.

Meleaga leads Sophia towards the grandest building of Edinway's Heart, the Association of Magewrights. The steps up to the main entrance to the huge gothic building are deserted, climbing them even produces a heavy feeling in Meleaga's stomach despite his education in a far more oppressive locale.

The gigantic double doors are closed, although drawing closer it appears that they are just for a show and a smaller door (in relative terms that is, the door itself still verges on eight or nine feet tall) is set into one of the great doors. This smaller door stands open, allowing an orange glow to leak out.

Stepping through the portal reveals an entryhall only just as wide as the massive doors and only two dozen feet deep but vast in its height. The walls are tastefully panelled in a dark wood and the only feature of the room appears to be a single desk at the back wall with a wizard sitting at it. No doors lead out of the entryhall.

Looking up from his book, the wizard smiles thinly and beckons the pair forwards,
"How may Edinway's Association of Magewrights be of assistance to you fine folk this bleak day?"
His words are smooth yet neutral much like his overall appearance sitting in the light grey robe with matching pointy hat.

...

Having drawn the rather shorter straw in the deal, Harald and Finn trudges down narrow streets stinking of damp rubbish as they slowly exit the more affluent areas of the city to return to Edinhumber.

Their welcome is rather warmer though, chilled to the bone once more, Cassio looks surprised to see Harald accompanied by a stranger but indicates the chairs set before his paper-strewn desk and quickly sets about finding three slightly chipped glasses and decanter of a deep red liquid while allowing his guests to be the first to speak.

[Rockwolf]

Sophia nods and introduces herself.

"Hello, my name is Sophia Franchesca, and this is Maleaga, and we were recently doing work for the city in regards to the quarantined areas. While we were there, we came upon a curious race of rats who walk like men. We did battle with several of them, and they fell with no little difficulty, however, some of them were all white in color, and covered in scars that appeared to be ritual in purpose."

Further describing the runes and rats, Sophia sits down and gives her full account of the creatures, including the one which spoke to them in peace. However, she does not say anything about their purpose for being in the quarantined zone, nor does she mention the wells.

[SponkleofInfini]

Meleaga enters quite nervously, it had been awhile since he had entered such a place. Fear had always bubbled to the surface at the thought, memories of his exile. Walking two paces behind Sophia; Meleaga keeps his bowed.

Hearing Sophias introduction and explanation of events leaves Meleaga content and with nothing to add.

[BigRedRod]

The man listens politely to Sophia, nodding occasionally until finally she stops when he speaks up in his practised formal tones,
"Yes, I see. So then, we can offer you two options. Firstly, for a small fee, you can be granted a day's access to the relevant section of our archive. Or you may prefer, to simply hire the time of one of our scribes to create a report for you on the subject, this will cost a little more and perhaps take a little longer. Some of our clients find the prospect of searching through stacks of archaic tomes a little daunting, which is perfectly understandable."

Placing his hands upon the desk and with a smile he adds,
"Unless there is another method you would prefer, that is. We strive to meet the needs of our clients."

[SponkleofInfini]

"Access to your archives should be fine."

Meleaga raising his head to speak politely to the man, hand to chin.

[The Alcotroll]

Sniffing his drink suspiciously, Harald considers his words for a moment.

"Your water is fine." he pronounces, finally. "We took samples from the wells you mentioned, and had them checked by a learned cleric of Sophia's acquaintance."

He takes a sip and winces, none too discretely, putting the drink down and continuing. "We bumped into some more of those rats as well. I have the tails around here somewhere..."

He casts a questioning glance towards Finn, not sure whether to mention the episode with the talking rats.

[Flagg Thornington]

The red rolls easily down Andrellew's throat while he eagerly listens to the exchange. After the aquainted finish the young sneak produces the bag of hard-won trophies.
The young man is generally suspisoius of Cassio's type but offers his name politely. Finn waits patiently for the party's gold after displaying the contents for examination.
The rogue mentions nothing but his given name.

[BigRedRod]

"Very well. As for the issue of payment, for access to a single section of the archive for a single day the price is twenty-five gold pieces plus two gold pieces for each client, aside from the first, in the party. Parchment, quills and ink will of course be freely accessible."

Looking from Sophia to Meleaga, the man searches for any traces of confusion,
"I'm afraid that we are not currently allowing any more clients into the archive this afternoon. If you would care to return in the morning then we shall be able to accommodate your needs. Good day."

...

Elsewhere in the city, Finn's throat and Harald's nose make an exciting discovery about the drink which Cassio offered. Fortified wine. Heavily fortified wine. A drink which smells and tastes so very potent that it must have been sat in the decanter for many years gradually building in strength.

Finn sets the seven paws upon the desk and Cassio wrinkles his nose slightly at the festering pieces of ratman,
"Thank you. Seven, I see. Good work. And clean water. Excellent. Excellent. You've done Edinhumber and all of Edinway a real service"

Leaning down, Cassio opens a draw in his desk and collects together the silver piece bounty in a small cloth bag. The coins inside give a muffled clink as he sets the bag on the table before his two guests,
"Twenty-one silver bits."
Cassio blushes slightly,
"I'm sorry I can't offer more, I hope you managed to recover a more suitable reward for yourselves from the Broken Tower. As for my promise... I've had no reply from my messages to the other Ward Sheriffs, but give it time and somebody will know something."

[Flagg Thornington]

Finn hands the bag of coins to Harald for safekeeping.
His eyes close briefly in quiet reflection.
I could make three times the money with much less toil..."Honest" money.

"We thank you for your generosity sir, the red is most excellent. We shall return if we learn anything else of use. Good day."

The rogue gestures that it's time to depart and truns to leave.

[Rockwolf]

Sophia smiles and nods to the clerk.

"Yes, um... we may return on the morrow." To Meleaga, "Let's go."

After getting outside she sighs loudly.

"Twenty-nine gold coins for the two of us to look at their books for a single day? Absolutely ridiculous. Let's head to the tavern and wait for the others."

[BigRedRod]

The sound of song reaches Harald and Finn long before they see the flapping canvas sign which marks out the tavern known as The Cloth and Coin. Pushing open the door sends out a burst of warmth and light along with the full volume of the song being sung by a number of men sat around a large table in the very centre of the tavern.

Few look up at the new arrivals. Clearly many of the stall holders elected to make the best of a rainy day by getting blind drunk. Meleaga and Sophia aren't hard to spot in the small room, aside from Sophia there are few women who aren't a part of the staff and busy ferrying drinks to tables and accepting lewd propositions with coy smiles.

No sooner have the party regrouped that one of the wenches arrives at the table with a broad smile,
"And what might I be fetching for you fine folk this evening?"

[Rockwolf]

Sophia settles down upon her chair and looks up at the serving woman.

"Yes, Ill have a glass of spiced wine please."

[Flagg Thornington]

"Make that two if you would? What is tonight's fare? I'm famished, been a nasty day out there." Finn inconspiciously glances at the other patrons to get a feel for the place.

[SponkleofInfini]

"I'll take a hearty stew with a mug of ale please."

As the wench leaves with their meal orders; Meleaga fills Finn and Harold in with the details from the Magewright.

"Sophia and I agree that the price they're asking to view their archives is a tad...excessive, so it looks like we're walking into this blind I'm affraid. We could ask Cassio, however I wouldnt be sure he knew anymore then us on the matter. Speaking of Cassio, do you have my share of the silver."

Ending his statement with a raised brow...

[The Alcotroll]

Harald squints suspiciously at the serving woman. "Ye don't sell... mead... do ye?" he asks hopefully.

He relates the meeting with Cassio, letting Finn fill in the details he has missed, and finishes by up-ending the pouch of coins on the table. "Twenty one silver pieces." he announces glumly. "Between four of us that makes... um... Not a lot."

"Anyway. If we want to eat again, I think we ought to consider a look at that tower. And sod the rats."

[BigRedRod]

The serving wench looks slightly taken aback by requests for anything but spiced wine, ale and the thick meaty stew which is served to patrons regardless of what exactly they request to eat. She gives a hesitant nod all the same and murmurs,
"I'll see what I can find."
Clearly quite afraid of what might happen if the large islander becomes upset.

With a slam, yet another merchant enters the rather subdued atmosphere of The Coin and Cloth. Even the untrained ear can pick up the general theme of chatter, a poor day's business was had by all and one of the regulars hasn't even set up his stall for the last few days.

[The Alcotroll]

"So then," Harlad leans forward across the table once the waitress leaves; "What do we do tomorrow? Twenty one pieces of sliver isn't going to keep us in meat and mead. I say we go to this old tower and strip it of everything that glitters."

[Flagg Thornington]

Finns eyes betray the slightest gleam when the islander pipes up.
"Now that sounds interesting. At the rate we're going we'll be penniless before the week is over."

[SponkleofInfini]

"I agree..."

[BigRedRod]

And with an agreement as to the best course of action having been reached conversation turned to lighter topics than kidnapped children, contaminated water supplies, insane cultists, vanishing prisoners ands the politics of different groups of anthropomorphic rats. Drinks were quaffed, dishes of stew were emptied, tales were spun and jokes shared.

With time the atmosphere of the tavern improves considerably as merchants stop worrying about coin they may not have brought in today and focus on more immediate matters, such as who can drink the most pungent purple liquid which passes for spiced wine before falling down to the rushes.

Life stops seeming quite so bad and by the time that the party think to ask one of the wenches where they might be able to exchange small pieces of metal for somewhere to rest their weary selves it is hard to believe that the four had met so recently.

-=Chapter End=-

[BigRedRod]

Harald
861

Meleaga
808

Sophia
892

Finn
952