The Orb of Shadows

[Ria Hawk]

"And unless you wish to be joining your ancestors in the afterlife, I would suggest that you let her go."  Piper was tense.  He didn't like these people, and this area was too open.  Jandoshan could attack at any time, and while he didn't particularly care if these fools lived or died, no one deserved that death.  "I can't be held responsible for the consequences of your own idiocy."

[Andimia]

Norah Grendure walked at a steady pace down the alley, her legs ached from travelling on foot and she was seriously contemplating saving up for a horse. Her hair hung streight but not quite to her shoulders and was stark white, not from age though. She wore a brown cloak, plain and unassuming and carried a large walking stick nearly as tall as herself. She heard commotion and screams in the alley ahead of her and she paused. Her eyes scanned the alley, something was comming towards her. Something powerful. With a murmer and a slight wave of her hand she allowed the shadows to envelope her. Reaching under her long cloak she pulled one of the wands dangling from her waist and it broke free of it's snap. She waited, tensed as hurried footsteps ran up the alley. Se moved well off to the side and a man rushed past her, clutching his bloody arm as he ran, constantly looking over his shoulder. He stumbled headlong into a pile of broken kegs and she saw it. The deep black armor, purple cape, dark hood and unusually tall. She knew that she should stay in the shadows and safe but her pity for the stumbling man got the best of her and as the creature passed her she wispered a few words wich sounded more like cursing and pointed the wand at the creature. A bright light filled the alley and the black-clad creature appeared to be emitting a torch-like glow.
"By the nine!" She actually did curse then. "Wrong one again!" She looked pained by her error as the beast spun around and looked upon her. Norah cracked the base of her walking stick hard upon the ground and it turned into an ivory white staff with gold etchings upon it's length and a graphite-colored crystal upon the top of it. Shoving the wand into the large pocket of her cloak she  drew her longsword and awaited attack. 

[Nap]

OOC:  Welcome, Andimia!  I'm assuming the action with Norah is not near that of the other three players, but I'm sure they will meet soon...

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Aelstan the ranger, sensing a fight that needn't be, attempted to resolve the situation using diplomacy.  He lowered his dark brown hood, revealing a plain, yet stern and wisened face.  He glanced back and forth briefly between Piper and the thugs, and stepped forward.

"Fair men of Livien, I ask that you use reason for a moment, and take in the situation.  You have a girl in your clutches, accused of a crime that resulted in the mauling and deaths of these three men in the shadows over there." Aelstan gestured to the small pile of bodies, lying in their own blood, obvious victims of the Jandoshan demons.

"Do you truly believe that such a girl could commit such an atrocity?  Examine the bodies and you will see wounds that are not consistent with her weaponry."

"Bah!" hollered one of the thugs, a wiry man with a mangey yellow beard.  "Makes no difference whether she did it alone, or did it with your help!  Our village was fine and peaceful until she came to town, and that makes her guilty in my book!"

The men nodded in agreement with the wiry man, and they jerked the girl around like a rag doll, as if to show superiority in strength.  Aelstan looked back at Piper as if to suggest that maybe the two of them could take out these men....

[Ria Hawk]

"I don't have time for this."  Piper was getting angry, and though it was hard to sound menacing when all you did was whisper, he managed it.  "Let me speak a language you will understand.  Assume, for the moment, that this girl did what you say she did.  Assume, also, if you like, that we helped her.  Now... what makes you think you're any safer than they were?"  One hand went under his cloak to rest on a sword handle.  "I suggest you go away now."

[Nap]

At that moment, another scream could be heard in the distance.  For several seconds both parties paused, trying to discern the nature of the scream, and what should be done.  The village folk slowly began to release their grip on Harper, and Aelstan turned his eyes away from the men and looked over the horizon of shingled roofs, toward the village temple.

"Our concern lies with beasts that are not of this world," cried the ranger, motioning toward the temple.  "They possess something that I suspect is very dangerous.  We have not the time to argue with anyone, so I suggest you let the woman be, and see to your families and homes at once!"

Aelstan pulled his cape to one side and drew out his sword.  He made a quick gesture of peace toward the men, who were suddenly looking fearful, and headed down the dark street toward the Temple of Shivaldar.

[Ria Hawk]

Piper twisted as the scream echoed through the city.  "If you do not wish to die, get out.  If your city is still standing by tomorrow, return, if you wish."  Then he started after Aelstan, searching the streets they passed for signs of danger.  Something caught his attention.  In an alley they passed, a figure stood there, glowing.  It was a Jandoshan, and it looked like it had just cornered a woman.    "Aelstan."  He gestured to the demon, then ran towards the scene.

[Catalyst]

OOC: Cool plot, but a lot of folks.

Mind if I join? Or would you rather I wait a while?

I don't want to clutter you guys up.

[Andimia]

ooc: should be alright

ic:
the beast swung and Norah parried with her staff, sending a bright white bolt through the creature. It took a step back more due to the fact of the blinding shock then actual pain from the spell. The Wizard slashed with her sword and missed. She could hear the hiss of flesh where it had been electricuted but the creature show little care for it's injury and with another swing caught the mage upon the side of her head before she could block, and sent her off her feet. A flash of light and fire from her panic ignited a nearby barrel but did little to harm her attacker. She had dropped her sword and reached inside her cloak again and drew out a wand with the same hand and whispered a prayer and then spoke an incantation and pointed the wand at her attacker. The creature was drenched in water then an icy wind froze the beast in place.

She quickly shoved that wand into her other pocked and grabbed up her sword. The ice was cracking and popping from the struggle of the beast inside and the nearby flaming barrel was melting the ice encasing its arm. In a daze, the mage scrambled to her feet and sheathed her sword just as one of the creature's arms broke free from it's icy restraints, clawing madly at the air. She turned to run down the alley and nearly stumbled into to others.

"Hurry! get out of here! it won't hold much longer!" She panted as she clutched her head, the red blood staining her white hair. Chunks of ice started breaking away from the frozen beast as it softened and melted.

[Ria Hawk]

Piper grabbed the woman's arm and pulled her behind him, then drew his weapons.  He didn't know how much damage the thing had already taken, but this was a demon that would not be leaving this city.  Snarling almost silently, he leapt at it.  Somewhere, a part of him that should have been thinking something much more reasonable, like how best to attack the semi-frozen demon, was sourly amused to note that his hatred of the Jandoshan had become almost a mania or an obsession.  It didn't matter.  He had heard it said that nothing could match the fury of a warmaster, and perhaps that was true.  But they had never seen the fury of a dancemaster.

[Catalyst]

Seabrum sweated from the heat of the fires. A blacksmith by trade, he preferred the heat to a cool breeze. Ever the meticulous craftsman, he was proficient at drowning out his surroundings.

Working late at night was the product of prosperity. Luckily his smithy was far from any residences.

Besides the pounding of his hammer, he rarely heard a sole. From time to time, he might hear drunks walk by making noise, usually singing of past glory. Nothing to distract him.

This night, however, was different from most. Unusual sounds kept drawing his attention. Whoever it was had decided to make the alley there wretching ground, he thought.

Another loud bang was the last straw.

Fully distracted, he strode to the window of his shop.  He jerked back the shutters with his beefy hands.

Angry now, he started to vent his frustration, but the words caught in his throat as he witnessed a whirl wind of blades envelop some sort of inhuman creature by a man with red eyes...

[Nap]

Aelstan was following Piper toward the sound of the noise when he heard the sound of battle.  Drawing his long sword, the ranger pushed his brown cape to one side and rounded the corner of a small shop.  The sight before him stunned him momentarily, as he saw one of the hideous demons enveloped in an icey casing of sorts, struggling to break free.  Another young woman was there, with striking white hair spattered with blood and a staff, trying to leave the scene while Piper seemed more intent on engaging the creature.

Innocent people will surely die tonight, thought the Warrenwood ranger.  He noticed several villagers looking through windows, peering around corners, to see what the commotion was, fear in their eyes.  One particularly beefy-looking man was nearby, peering through the window of his smithy, a look of curiosity in his eyes.

"People of Livien!  Seek shelter and do not interfere, for you are facing a danger that is not to be trifled with!"

Aelstan ran past the blond woman and couldn't help but notice that she was quite attractive, despite the chaotic situation around them.  Ahead, he could see the Ikarani Dancemaster moving toward the demon, crescent blades presented...

[Catalyst]

Another man ran up, shouting a warning.

Not to be trifled with? This creature was surely beaten, Seabrum thought.

“Oh no…” he whispered to himself when he realized the man had to know the same.

Sarah! He thought. 

Not bothering to remove his soot covered leather apron, Seabrum grabbed a doubled bladed axe on the way out the front door.

Running now, at a desperate pace, he raced towards home. He would be in time. He had to be! He went through a checklist, in his mind, of all of the things he would gather from home.

Stumbling around a corner, he saw the truth of it all. The full force of the sight dropped him to his knees.

Stunned silence was all he could offer. The beasts must have ravaged the small neighborhood on the way into town.

His neighbors and friends were scattered around like so much flotsam. None readily identifiable, the entirety of their remains intermingled.

He knew, without seeing, that his wife was gone. Tears cleared a path in the grime on his face.

Granting himself but a moment to gain his composure, he set his jaw firm and determinately rose to his feet.

Now was not the time for grief, he thought, now was the time for action. He lifted the axe and willed his legs to bring him back to town, leaving behind forever, his home, his family, and his leather apron...

[Ria Hawk]

((OOC: Just pointing out that Piper never told anyone he's a Dancemaster.    ))

Piper flung himself at the demon, crescent-blades biting deep into it.  One clawed hand freed itself and swung, catching Piper across the chest.  He ignored the pain and the blood that told him it had scored.  He just corrected his trajectory and skidded around, preparing for another lunge. 
Blood, blood everywhere.  Children whimpering in terror.  Mothers pleading for the lives of thier sons and daughters.  Young women screaming as monstrosities did horrible things to them.  The faces of the warriors as they were forced to watch the wholesale slaughter of their kin, helpless to even kill themselves honorably.  The expression of unholy glee on the Traitor's face...  Were they his memories?  Or were they Kieshan's?  It didn't matter.  He threw himself at the demon again, swords flashing.

[DragonRhapsody]

{{ooc: I'm gonna jump in, if it's not okay, just let me know! ^__^;; }}

Eri Connor had spent the last 8 hours riding to the nearest town. And hoping for a hot bath when she reached an Inn. Unfortunately she rode right into a town filled with dead bodies, blood and the sounds of war raging among the streets. Swearing silently to herself, she slowed down her horse to a steady pace, keeping her golden eyes sharply focused on the darker shadows.

By her appearance she wasn't more than a dusty, weary travellor. But by her nature, she was an Archer and a former Guard for some haughty Prince up north. She never paid attention to whom she was contracted out to, she always saw the gold. And knowing that she trotted into a war-zone without getting paid first meant that she was going to have to "help" without any recognition.

Unstrapping her short sword, she caught a glimpse of movement on the main road. Caution bells rang in her head as she neared to the shadowed figure. Sighing, she released her short-sword hilt, and looked down upon a blacksmith, crying in the streets.

"Sir, you should get to safety." She spoke softly, her angular face mismatching her tone. Her nose was narrow and slightly hooked like a hawk's beak, and her eyes were angled and almond shaped. Some would find her looks attractive, others would not even take a second glance, as her face was plain enough to melt into a crowd. If not for her pouty, small mouth, almost everyone would assume she was a male, with her tawny-brown hair cropped short in the back, and longer strips in the front.

Drifting sounds of battle caught her attention, and expecting them to come closer, she unslung her bow and cocked an arrow.

"Sir, I don't know what happened here, but I don't think it's safe for you to be out on the streets," she said again, eyes dancing over objects in a fury, watching and waiting for a movement.

[Nap]

Aelstan couldn't believe what had happened.  What began as a small fight back in the Lusty Maiden had now begun to turn into a bloodbath in the town of Livien.  What were these demons up to?  Why were they here?

The dark-haired ranger watched as the Ikarani engaged the Jandoshan demon in combat, amazed at his quickness.  The demon had struck Piper, yet Piper seemed to adjust to the attack just fine.  Aelstan remembered how difficult it was for them to slay the demon in the inn just minutes ago, and decided to give Piper a hand. 

The Blackthorn Brigade had trained Aelstan not only as a ranger, but a cunning warrior.  To survive in the wild, one needed to be resourceful and not wholly dependent on raw skill.  For Aelstan to rush one of these beasts was foolish, because he was not the stoutest of fighters.  He decided to give Piper a moment to command more of the attention of the demon, and used this moment to put his sword in its scabbard.  He then pulled out a small pouch that was tucked behind his belt, under his dark cloak, and poured the contents into his hand. 

Moving in the shadows, avoiding the faint moonlight, the Warrenwood ranger stepped toward the fray, raising his hand and its contents as he neared the demon, whose was breaking free of the ice and focused on Piper....

[Catalyst]

Seabrum, having pushed aside his grief, looked for something to exact his vengeance upon.

Someone spoke to him, an archer, but the words seemed without meaning. He grunted in her direction, but didn't spare her a glance, so intent was he on finding his quarry.

Scanning the area, Seabrum caught motion in the darkness with his peripheral vision. The thing moved to flank the archer.

Verbalizing his fury in a scream, he lifted his axe to strike the creature at her back, to protect her naked side...

[Andimia]

Norah's head spun for a bit as she watched the red-eyed man attack the beast. As she stedied herself with her staff she ran her other hand over her wound. It cleared the blood from her hair and she brushed away the red powder that had collected in her hand, but the wound continued to bleed.
The mage now focused on the fight in front of her. The man was moving so fast that she didn't know if she could concentrate on him without getting lost in his movement. With a somatic gesture of her left hand, the Ikarani's weapons burst to more life then was instilled by their wielder, and cold flame licked upon the sharp edge of the crescent blades. The flames were small, never reaching great hight, and rippled along as the blades sliced air and flesh. Never harming the wielder of the blades, the fire caught on the deamon's flesh and armor.
Norah smiled slightly from her triumph of getting the spell to hold upon the swift moving weapons as the luminously-frozen creature began to burn with the icy blue fire.

((ooc: The spell is a magic energy, mearly in the image of flames so it won't speed up or slow down the thawing, but the creature is thawing none the less))

[DragonRhapsody]

Eri jumped and stifled a small scream when the man rush behind her with a war-cry. Moving the horse around Eri saw what the man attacked, with his large axe. A dark creature, frightening, really. Startled, as Eri was never really great under pressure, she hesitated before she let her arrow fly.

The contact seems to do nothing to the beast, instead it advanced on the man. She cocked another arrow and shot again, into the neck of the creature. The dark beast didn't slow, and Eri began to wonder if she would have to use her short-blade...

[Ria Hawk]

Piper was very startled when his swords suddenly burst into flame.  The moment's distraction cost him another set of claw marks, this one across his back.  He shrugged it off.  Someone, probably that girl, was a mage.  It didn't matter.  It wasn't real fire.  Even if he had still believed in the fire goddess, he was too much of a sinner and blasphemer for Din to bless him in such a manner. 

[Catalyst]

Battle axe on high, Seabrum brought the full force of his muscular frame in an over head strike at the demon.

The strike came from muscles honed through a lifetime of hammering and molding metal. A strike borne of urgency, desperation, and vengeance, using the same repetitive motion that was so familiar.

The demon raised a bracered forearm to defend the strike. Strong as it was, it couldn't prevent the axe from driving the bracer into it's face. The force of the blow was powerful and had the creature momentarily rocked back on it’s heels.

Seabrum used the time to roll the axe counter clockwise, at his right, back overhead. Maintaining that momentum he struck again.

The beast’s face exploded with blood, it’s now useless bracer falling to the ground with it’s hand and a lengthy section of forearm.

Anger erupted in a violent strike by the monster, to Seabrum’s chest. Pain erupted as his flesh tore, quickly followed by a loss of breath as the impact with ground knocked the wind out of his lungs.

Propping onto his elbow, a few feet away now, he saw the demon move towards the archer.

[Nap]

Piper seemed capable of handling himself against this demon, and he was apparently being aided in some arcane manner by the blonde woman as well, for his blades suddenly appeared to be in flames, and the Ikarani was noticeably surprised just as the ranger was.

Aelstan took advantage of the moment of surprise and sprang forward into the fray, hurling the contents in his hand at the demon's face.  Almost instantly the Sykorin Powder went to work, sparkling and fizzing as it came into contact with the beast's face.  Within seconds the creature would be completely blind, and hopefully unable to defend itself, much less attack...

[Ria Hawk]

Piper attacked again, his blades cutting deep.  Surely this creature couldn't take too much more punishment, and then they could all run for safety before the other demons in the city took notice of them.

[Nap]

The combination of attacks, along with the blindness that resulted from the Sykorin Powder, eventually defeated the demon.  Just as he broke completely free of the frozen ice that had been enveloping him, the savage blows administered by the Ikarani had done too much damage.

The gaping wounds oozed an acidic blood that sizzled as it hit the hard stone and earth in the streets.  Before long, the body of the Jandoshan demon began to smoke and dissolve, and once again all that remained was scorched black hide armor and a damage purple cloak.

Some of the villagers had begun to move closer to examine the creature, or what was left of it.  For a few precious moments, there was silence.  Not a peaceful silence, but the kind that hovers around everyone's periphery, like the calm before the storm.  So much damage had been done, yet there did not appear to be any other demons in the area.

"Was this the last one?" asked Aelstan, looking nervously into the shadowy corners of each nearby street...

[Ria Hawk]

Piper stood there for a moment, still tensed to spring, until he was sure the demon was completely dead.  Then he resheathed his swords.  "Doubtful," he said, his omnipresent whisper harsher than normal because of his panting for breath.  "But I don't have the energy to take out another one, and would fare worse against multiple foes."  As he spoke, he almost went down to one knee as the pain from his wounds finally hit him.  He hissed as he regained his balance.  "We should probably seek safety."

[Nap]

"I agree with you, my friend," said Aelstan, all too aware that the Ikarani warrior was probably right.  Twice they had squared off against one of these demons, and while they had emerged victorious in both instances, it was obvious that Piper was exhausted.

The ranger looked around the village.  People were frantically calling out to see who had been killed, and the local guard had finally emerged.  Women and children were being ushered back into their homes, while the braver souls remained alert.

"You know," said Aelstan as he calmly placed his hand on Piper's shoulder, "We haven't found the item that the demons took from that merchant in the back alley.  My guess is that the demons still have it and have some plan they still have yet to carry out.  I'm afraid this is only the beginning of something very sinister that we are a witness to."

The Warrenwood ranger produced another small pouch, and poured its contents into a small vial of liquid he held in his other hand.  After shaking it for a moment, the liquid turned a pale green and gave off a slight fizz. 

"Here, my friend, drink this and you will feel better."