Cry of Freedom (Chapter I)

[Scrasamax]

The last few years have been busy ones. The old king of Honuntton, Tonhel VI passed away, much to the great grief of the people of Honuntton. The funeral services lasted for four weeks before the body of the great King was relinquised to the catacombs deep within the stone heart of Hal-Honuntton, the capital island of the Kingdom. His son took the mantle Tanquebel IV, naming himself after a lineage of warriors and conquerors.

The Hy-Oritzi Combine caused many people to shake their heads in bemusement, for after sixteen days of deadlocked debate and filibustering, the Combine Council made their formal decision in the matter of Pirate Hunting to be 'Decision Pending'. This has left many of the Combine ship captains in a state of disbelief while pirates and privateers, constant parasites on Combine traffic and holdings, have praised the wisdom and courage of the Council.

Newrock Island rose from the oceans, shedding water for days before the surface became dry enough to set ship down on. The top is still spongy and thick from whatever dwells beneath the waves, and it will be some time yet before saplings and grass sprout on its surface. Already some make moves to bring the newly risen island into their realm of control and power. 

The explorer and Aeronaut Tajes launched a new expedition into the Upper Reaches, taking five airships and 700 men hunting for Phantom Island. It has been three months since their departure, and not a word has returned of their fates.

Yet with rising, comes falling. The island of High Temple, the central bastion of the Paladins of the High Temple also broke the surface of the endless sea. Yet the temple was rubble, and the island was wormed through with holes, for almost every piece of pantarbe ore had long since been extraced. The Paladins are little more than a scattered dream, the survivors more than a year and a half later have yet to make any visible sort of recovery.

Chancellor Ildech of Notar's Realm announced that Grand Admiral Shaesel Ion Notar the XIX daughters, Osuzu and Ta, are of age to be courted for marriage.

Sharashka, a once great power, drifts in ruins, the cities that dotted it little more then burning slag and fields of corpses. The Sky Knights, among the proudest and valorous of orders failed to defend the island, and paid for their failure the lives of themselves and their entire nation. Since the devastation, miners and harvesters, scavengers and thieves have turned Sharashka into a den of murderers and criminals. All the while unscrupulous enterprises burrow vital ore out of the heart of the island.

Sutherland Isle
A rocky island blessed with several large plateaus, Sutherland has a pleasant climate and a growing population. The most prominent of the isle's communities is the trade city of Aenallophos. While nominally an unclaimed island, Sutherland has been a free island for centuries, a trading post and a waystation.

(OOC - Players, please feel free to post your introductions, Aenallophos is a large city by Epoan standards, as as a free port, ships from all over the local region make harbor here.)

[Ancient Gamer]

Strong winds buffeted the giant crane fly, blowing the insect native to the shipping island of Akhone back up into the air.

"Whoa, Zizi, don't you lose control on me now!", the rider shouted, a soaking wet brown cloak clinging to his leather armour and tanned face. The insect responded to the soft tugging of the reins, and with a jerking motion it resumed its descent.

******************

Thirty feet below a street girl gaped as she watched the insect rider maneuver his mount through the air and into the narrow alley she was standing in. Most people used authorized landing squares or the landing ground outside the stables, but this fellow was apparently intent on landing his mount in her alley.

Squeezing into a narrow passage between two houses, she watched as he landed and subsequently dismounted. He threw back the wet hood, and she saw he was a handsome man, his head shaved bald and his nose somewhat crooked. The little girl knew that her older sisters would have giggled and stared, but she did not, for she sensed something about him that made her keep silent.

The stranger threw his cloak over his shoulders, revealing brown leather armour beneath, then he started walking towards the doorway belonging to Seth, a local fence. Three taps on the door was followed by two, then four and shortly thereafter the clicking sounds of sliding locks could be heard from the other side of the door.

"You are late Naraias", Seth grumbled in his usual dour manner.

"Well, you know how it is on the lowest islands Seth. I had to brave a storm, and a fierce one at that. What counts is that I got your package, right?", the voice of the insect rider was cheerful, which she found odd given how dour Seth was and the weather he had ridden through.

"Very well Naraias, you do have a point", Seth said and then they swapped two leather pouches.

Seth closed his door with a grumble, and shortly thereafter Naraias mounted the giant crane fly. The rapid beating of fluttery wings sounded and when she peeked out again, he was already at roof level. Something shining came falling down from above, and instinctively she reached out for it.

Opening her palm she found a silver coin.

[Dozus]

Another groan came forth from the mouth of the elven girl as she writhed in bed, drenched in sweat.  Her parents, weeping from a corner of the room, said she had been sick for weeks.  They had tried to get help from the hospital of Aenallophos, but their city medicines had failed.  They needed a Kaduai shaman.

Cloudstrider Balthustrol began his chant again, the a chant he had made for the past two hours.  Dressed in the headdress, cloak, and bangles of his people, he applied more incense and herbs to the brazer before the child.  [[Sky Mother!  Heal your people, heal with the winds,]] he chanted and sung in Kaduai.  [[Abandon not your people, people of the winds, the winds of the Six Directions!  Send the spirit of healing, let your people live!]]  At last, Cloudstrider felt a spark of life from within.  His hands oustretched, he placed the fingers of one hand on the girl's forehead, the others into the hot ashes of the brazier.  The couple behind him gasped, first at the sight of his hand in the fire, then at the sight of the girl as her eyes flashed open.  A fit of coughing came over her, Cloudstrider's firm hand still holding her head to the pillow.  She gave a sudden gasp, then fainted.

The chanting stopped.  Cloudstrider gave a deep sigh, catching his breath, then stood, brushing the soot from his hands.  "She will live," he said simply, quietly.  "Let her rest and make sure she gets plenty of water."  He reached into his medicine bag and placed a sachet of herbs on the nightstand next to the brazier.  "Mix a pinch of that into tea and make sure she drinks it once a day."

The mother wept with joy and exhaustion, and the father gave a joyous and pained laugh.  He kissed his wife and rushed to a cabinet in the corner of the room.  He threw it open and pulled out a small pouch.  "Please, take this," he said, voice still shaking, placing the bag in Cloudstrider's hand.  "It is all we have."

The half-elf felt the weight of the bag and opened it with his fingers.  He took the elf man's hands with one of his own and dumped all but a few of the coins into them.  "Keep them well-fed and happy," he said, closing the pouch.  "Kata Rangi will bless you."  The man began to weep again.

*****************

Cheff was almost asleep in the tenament alley when the door finally opened and Cloudstrider stepped out, wearing ordinary traveller's clothes with a Kaduai jacket.  He stood up quickly and followed the half-elf down the street.  "She gonna be okay?"

The shaman nodded.  "She'll be fine," he said calmly, breathing in the cooler outside air.  "She's awful lucky though, Three-stars.  A day later and she'd've been dead."

Cheff wrinkled his nose, itching at his elven ears beneath his toboggan.  "It's Cheff now," he corrected.  "We ain't in Kaduai Nation."

Cloudstrider snorted, looking the other over.  "Y'know, they always say you can take the elf out of Kaduai, but you can't take the Kaduai out of the elf.  Guesss that's wrong, huh?"

Cheff sighed.  "Epoa's changing, Cloudstrider.  Kaduai's got to change too, or she'll get left behind.  Us here, we're the new settlers, just as much as the humans on the Outskirts.  You oughta know that much as anyone."

"Yeah, I guess so," Cloudstrider said, stretching his arms above his head.  They turned the corner of the street and approached the rental stables nearby.  "I don't think it's a zero-sum game, though.  The world's big enough for everyone, isn't it?"

Cheff shrugged.  "We'll see about that, Balthustrol."  He dropped a few coins onto the stable manager's counter.  "Check under 'Cheff'," he ordered.  The bearded man nodded and shouted an order to the younger men in the back.  Cheff leaned against the side of the building.  "What's your next job?"

Cloudstrider shrugged.  "Beats me.  Reckon I'll just follow the winds, see where Sky Mother takes me."  A shrill cry came from the back of the stable, followed by a yelp.  Cloudstrider grinned.  "There's Moonwing."

The heavy stable door opened and a young man came out dragging a large hawk by its reigns.  The hawk resisted, scratching its talons backwards and straining the cords that restrained its wings.  When it caught sight of Cloudstrider, it gave another cry and hopped forward.  Cloudstrider took the reigns from the boy who had a large scratch on his forearm.  "That's some bird you got, mister," the boy muttered.

"That's a Kaduai sun hawk, kid," he said, smiling at the bird and ruffling the bright feathers on its head. "Best bird in the skies."  In a single motion, the half-elf cleric swung his leg over the bird's saddle and mounted himself.  Moonwing cheerfully hopped forward again.

Cheff stepped back.  "'Preciate the help, Cloudstrider.  You at least gonna stay in town?"

Cloudstrider nodded.  "Yeah, we'll see if anything interesting happens around here."  He reached for the knife in his belt and cut the cords tying the hawk's wings down.  Moonwing happily flapped and fluttered, preening her freed limbs.  The half-elf steered her into the street with the reigns and looked up just in time to see a huge insect flit across the sky, a small man seated on its back.  "See?  There's something interesting already."

Cheff grinned and shook his head.  "We'll see you around, Balthustrol.  Safe winds."

"Safe winds and Sky Mother's blessing to you, Three-stars," the shaman said with a wink.  He gave a short whistle and Moonwing flapped her powerful wings.  Within moments they were in the air, sailing toward the heart of the city.

[valadaar]

 Tahar stood against the railing, looking out across the sky, cloud-islands forming ever-changing, wondrous scenery.  Though the High Temple lay low and desecrated, beauty still held sway in the world, and so there was still hope.

He thought back to the last hours he spent with fellow Paladins, the terrible battle that destroyed the The Resolute. Many of his order had perished in the fight, and Tahar had nearly drowned himself after the stricken vessel settled into the sea and sank.  The quick action of a somewhat insane Sea-fisher had saved him from a watery grave, though none other of the crew appeared to be as lucky.

He spent a harrowing week on the Sea-fisher's ship.  He had trained on ships so high that the sea was just an expanse of featureless grey, and for days he was within an arrow-shot of the sea. The air was so thick it could have been soup down there, and it made him dizzy.

The work on the Bottom-Feeder was hard, and dangerous, but the captain had regaled him with tall tales of fishing expeditions.  He mentioned 'Cities below the Sea', whose lights one could see at night-time, giant Aerophins that swam below the waves, and other amusing nonsense.   He left the captain when he stopped at Aenallophos to sell his catch.  Tahar refused payment for his help and thanked the captain. 

While walking down the main thoroughfare, he noticed people looking at him with a strange, almost predatory gaze.  Suddenly, he was grabbed by the elbow and pulled into an alley.

It was Yethric, a member of his order, though he looked far from the part in the guise of a beggar.  "Stow your emblem, brother - our order is being hunted still by Tanquebel.  You are junior enough not to make his lists, but your emblem makes you a target!"  Seeing Tahar's frown, "You will serve our Liege little if you are dead, my brother.  Never deny him, but there is no need to reveal unasked.  Now, go, but take that end of the alley, and put on this cloak!"

Tahar put on the cloak and as he looked back, he heard running footfalls and Yethric was disappearing around a corner.

[Scrasamax]

Most people dont tlook up when a lone rider flies overhead, but even in Sutherland a man riding his warhawk a few feet from the tops of the buildings gathers some attention. One such man was doing just that. A child pointed first as the rider, mounted atop a silvery grey great Erne came down towards the town, his mount leading several others who were struggling to keep up. The man scowled, he felt weak, something no doubt he attributed to the pair of arrows that protruded from his side and back. The armor held and he only bled instead of falling like a stone from his great erne. He spared a glance over his shoulder, the two outriders were still after him, but their aim had fallen off, both they and their smaller birds were tired from the long chase. He felt Tierney, his erne, still had a good deal of strength in her, more than he had though which was why he had angled for the island.

+++++

The three skyhawks were tiring, the chase would soon be over for Atard, Radech and Taitanath if they didnt force the Sharashkan to ground quickly. Almost as if sensing their need, the skyknight angled towards Sutherland, a good sized island. Atard gestured to his companions, "We take him, I will come above and down, you from the flank and behind." The female rider scowled at her erstwhile commander, she gestured curtly, that she would follow. Once on the ground, the skyknight was a deadman, but they had to take some care, even wounded he wasnt going to be an easy kill. These Sharashkans were as tenacious as any foe they had met. Radech goosed his skyhawk with his heels, asking for a bit more speed from the weary bird...

+++++

The Skyknight looked back, buildings whistling beneath Tierney's taloned feet. Three to one werent good odds. He raised his bow, pulling the arrow back toh is cheek and sighting bown the shaft. The rider was too far a shot and his aim was faltering, but he could still hit the broadside of a skyhawk. He held for a moment and released the arrow as one of the riders started to close on him. The crow-feathered shaft flew straight and true, piercing the hawk through the throat. The great bird sculled at the air with it's wings, suddenly ignoring it's rider for the barb in it's throat, the man atop fighting to keep control over the wounded animal, but it was not truly his mount, just one commandeered for the chase. In a few lurching seconds, the chaser lost his seating and grip on the reins.

Radech fell for what seemed like an eternity before Sutherland caught him. People shouted and pointed into the sky where the skyhawk settled atop one of the buildings, clawing at the arrow in it's neck. A few paid heed to the fallen rider, but there was nothing to do for him but to build a pyre.

The Skyknight found a smaller plaze and let Tierney take them to the ground. The erne landed with the force of a storm and the grace of a ballerina.

+++++

Naraias, mounted atop Zizi was buffeted by the erne as it passed him, then by the three chase riders in hot persuit. The rogue had a good view of the engagement from behind, and was rather close when one of the riders fell from his mount, perishing on the unyielding flagstones of the plaze below.

The shaman of Kaduai, Cloudstrider Balthustrol, saw this also though he was spared the trouble of dodging the skyhawks. The half-elf recognizes that the three persuers are Honuntton Stalkers.

Tahar is forced to backpedal as the erne landed close in front of him, a wounded Sharashkan Skyknight on her back. The man dismounts with some difficulty...

[valadaar]

The Skynight, a Sharashkain, was a kindred spirit to Tahar - his order and Sharashka had both suffered at the hands of the same enemy.  And so, the rider's enemies were likely Tahars own.

And this is what he was waiting for - a more obvious sign from the Azure Lord could not be made!  First, secure the scene!, he unshouldered his shortbow, while saying - "Who persues?" The stranger needed aid, but that would have to wait.  Next he drew an arrow and knocked it, scanning the sky for assailents.

[Dozus]

"Uh-oh," Cloudstrider murmured.  "There's trouble."  He watched as one of the Stalkers tumbled out of the sky, down, down onto the pavement below.  Whatever was going on was clearly serious business, especially with Honunttons involved.  A well-placed distraction just might provide enough time to figure out what was going on.

With a quick double-kick, Balthustrol urged Moonwing forward.  The sun hawk blinked in reply and flapped her powerful wings rapidly, the golden feathers gleaming in the sunlight.  Cloudstrider let forth a war whoop as he sped toward the two Honuntton Stalkers in the air, making sure his javelins were close at hand.

[Ancient Gamer]

His head had been full of women and trouble, jealous instincts whispering in his ear. Then the erne sped past him, quickly followed by three riders in pursuit.

"Real quiet, Zizi, we need to get behind that wench", he whispered to the giant crane fly. Not that the insect could understand him, but he did so at times, particularly when he had roamed the sky alone for long periods of time.

He gently squeezed his knees and pulled a rein, signalling to the insect that it should change direction, making it head after the female rider.
As Zizi pursued the pursuers, Naraias pulled a dart from his belt. A wounded knight would surely reward his brave rescuer and, if anything, Naraias loved coin.

<OOC: Naraias will attempt to move within range for sneak attacks and throw the dart into the back of the female>

[Scrasamax]

The surviving two stalkers pulled up and into what looked like it would be a circle above the plaze where the Sharashkan landed, both intent on their prey. Below, the man staggered from the erne, his armor dented and wet with blood. "Stalkers, I have a terrible message. They are trying to stop me from delivering it." He dropped his bow, no arrows left to fire and drew his battered longsword.

Naraias' throw and the war whoop came at almost the same instant (roll roll) the dart going wide of it's intended target. The rogue discovered that it was quite difficult to get a clear target on his foe as even when hovering Zizi moved and bobbled a fair bit. Below the dart clattered against a rooftop, coming to no harm of it's own nor injuring anyone in the falling.

(Thus ends first round of combat - each player may take two actions: the second action involve the two Stalkers landing in the plaza, Atard on the ground, Taitanath landing on a roof. He will prepare for melee combat, she will prepare her bow. Third round is their first attack, assuming 1 round for quick landing and quick dismount. I would like everyone to start their next post with a D20 roll for initiative. )

[Ancient Gamer]

<OOC: Initiative = 10. I have not modified for anything. Tell me what the mods are, if any>

Cursing softly, annoyed at his own incompetence, Naraias nudged Zizi after the pursuing woman. Shortly thereafter she landed on a roof and Narais followed suit. While the knight seemed like he could stand his own with a sword, arrows would cause him quite some concern.

What's gotten into you, Naraias? Chasing mounted warriors now? For what reason? The gilded coin of a knight? Or is it because she looks like...

Naraias shut out the unwelcome thoughts and dismounted a short distance behind the female warrior. If he didn't act, the knight would die.

Stealthily approaching the woman from behind, Naraias unsheathed his dagger.

[Dozus]

<OOC: Rolled a 1 for initiative... >

As the two rider moved to land their mounts, Cloudstrider considered where to go next.  Watching the little man on the big bug gave him his answer: to the Stalker on the ground.

The half-elf nudged his mount's reins, maneuvering Moonwing to glide straight toward the Stalker on the ground.  Cloudstrider pulled a javelin from his pack and readied it, feeling its heft and the crosswind.  Finger pointing to the moon, he reminded himself as he aimed.  As the sun hawk neared closer and swooped down, Balthustrol's arm thrust forward and let loose the missile.

[valadaar]

<ooc Rolled 7 for initiative>


"Back! Stalkers! - no more blood today unless it is yours!"

<Will fire if they persist or draw a missle weapon...>

[Scrasamax]

All OOC Character Information Post
Listed Initiative Rolls:

Taitanath/NPC - 17

Skyknight/NPC - 17

Naraias/AG  - 13

Tahar/Valadaar  - 11

Atard/NPC - 3

Cloudstrider/Dozus - 2

[Scrasamax]

Taitanath scowled as her companion drew a broad-bladed axe and charged the skyknight. They had originally started off as a four man team, and the Sharashkan had already killed two of their number. Radech was a fool and almost deserved what he got, but Mosaris had been a close friend and she would see him avenged. The Sharashkan had cut him down as he tried to hold the knight's erne. She drew the arrow back to her cheek and let the arrow fly.

The Skyknight, now dismounted and sword in hand saw both the archer on the roof and the bruiser barreling towards him. He could feel exhaustion grinding against his bones, and the injuries he had thusfar sustained leeching away his strength. The arrow struck true, punching through a thin spot in his armor to bury itself in the thick muscle of his thigh. He grunted and prepared to receive the ground-pounders charge.

Naraias threw his second dart, and unlike his first throw which had landed somewhere east of where they were, this dart flew high and straight. The archer released her arrow and had lowered her bow to draw a second arrow when the dart caught her in the back, just to the side of her spin. Naraias could see the dart buried itself deep and she was now bleeding freely as she turned to face her new assailant, leaving Atard alone to deal with the Sharashkan and the stranger with him. (successful attack, 6 out of 1D4+1d6 dmg)

The Stalker ignored the Paladin's warning and continued his endeavor. Tahar drew his shortbow and fired a shot, but the arrow deflected off of the warrior's helm, causing not so much as a dent in the metal.

Atard, axe raised, crashed into the skyknight, bringing his weapon down with frightening force. The Sharashkan buckled at the knees, but the strike missed it's target and Atard cursed as he fended off the skyknight's weak reprisal.

Cloudstrider's throw fell like a bolt from the heaven's, Moonwing wheeling to come back around over the plaza. Atard staggered as the javelin struck him from above. The weapon struck deep and hard and the Stalker grit his teeth as he jerked it out of his back. Blood spattered across the paving stones of the plaza. Instead of three on one, Atard found his back-up missing and facing two men on foot and one in the air.

end of round 3, actions for next round: Taitanath will fire her bow at Naraias, Atard will fall back to his mount. Skyknight will not persue the Stalker, he is injured

[Ancient Gamer]

Naraias held his breath as the dart flew towards its target, and when it struck he physically winced, for he was not used to hurting people, though it had happened on occasion - particularly during his pirating days. The woman furiously turned around, drawing an arrow, obviously intending to shoot him. For a moment panic engulfed him, and he forcefully had to dismiss the fearful notion. Having regained his senses he charged across the roof, throwing a dart and pulling his dagger as he approached the woman.

<OOC: Throw dart, move and then pull dagger at the end of the round>

[Dozus]

Cloudstrider whistled as the missile found its home.  It was a good hit, good enough to stop the man's attack, though now he was headed for his mount.  "D*mn Honunttons," he grumbled, "making trouble in a free town."  He noticed the skyknight's extra blows; with arrows in his hide and a new axe wound, he would need help fast.  The Kaduai drew his second javelin, took aim, and let it fly.  He then tugged Moonwing's reins, directing her to prepare to land.

<OOC: Attack with javelin, then move to land Moonwing near the skyknight to do some "clerical work">

[Scrasamax]

"Sky curse you hull-biter!" Taitanath shouted as she drew the arrow back with a smooth motion, barely letting the fletching of the arrow touch her check before releasing. The arrow sped like a hawk taking a starling. Naraias felt a jolt of pain as the arrow punched it's way into the muscle of his thigh (Narais takes 2 damage). The woman was already drawing another arrow...  The Akhonian slung his own weapon, a dart. The weapon arced gracefully and slammed into the Stalker's chest. The stalker coughed blood onto her own hand and shot the oncoming rogue a die and go to hell look as he drew his dagger, her feet planted and ready to fight...

Cloudstrider's second javelin fell with less grace and effectiveness, missing the retreating Hununtton Stalker by a close margin. The man looked up at the half-elf as Moonwing sculled her wings and came in for a landing, but he was already commited to his retreat. The skyknight looked dead on his feet, but was still on his feet.

Tahar drew back a second arrow, the stalker on the roof turned away from her first target and started shooting elsewhere. The arrow struck the woman in the side, drawing her breath away as she faced her assailant on the roof. (makes Morale check)

"I'm sorry Morais," Taitanath whispered as she dropped her bow and fled, she ran for her skyhawk, hoping she could reach the avian and get airborn before the rogue could get to her before. (retreats for mount)


"Don't let them escape," the Skyknight said, "They will bring more Stalkers to Sutherland, I implore you and your allies to help me further," he said to Tahar.

[valadaar]

Tahar drew back a second arrow and sent it hurtling towards Taitanath.  He then dropped his short bow and drew his battleaxe.

[Ancient Gamer]

Naraias cursed as the woman fled. He did not want to kill her, yet by the sound of it she would bring danger upon them and Sutherland itself.

There was no way he would reach her in time, so he sheathed his dagger, threw another dart and signalled for Zizi to come.

<ooc: throw dart then mount Zizi>

[Dozus]

Cloudstrider made an agile dismount, grabbing his medicine bag as he did.  "Hold on there, brother," he said, approaching the skyknight.  "Those arrows sticking out your side won't do at all."  With practiced caution, the cleric felt the area around the arrows.  "Your armor's gonna have to come off," he said plainly.  "This might make things a little easier."  With a deep breath and closed eyes, Cloudstrider began to chant, laying his hands over the man.

<OOC: Cast "Cure Light Wounds">

[Scrasamax]

How quickly the odds had turned, Morais cut down in one swing, and then Radech splattered against the unforgiving earth. Taitanath scrambled as fast as she could fer her Skyhawk, she was now outnumbered and hoped to reach the bird and the relative safety of the air. If she was lucky the Sutherlanders would dash to the Sharashkan and not try to tail her and Atard if he even made it off of the ground. That was his problem now, not hers to deal with. She grabbed the reins of the 'hawk and started to haul herself up. Naraias threw his third dart, another good throw. The dart struck the Hununtton woman square in the back, she let out a thin wail. Her grip on the bird's reins failed and she fell to the ground and stopped moving.

(Currently at 0 HP, loosing 1 HP/turn. Dead at -10 HP)

Atard was not able to reach his skyhawk before Tahar, paladin of the Azure Lord and the High Temple was on him. The axe caught the light of the setting sun along it's finely honed edge before falling against the Hununtton Stalker. The man tried to stand his ground, but the Stalker, barely more than a mercenary couldn't match the anger or fervor of the paladin, or the anguish of avanging a lost home and many fallen brothers. The axehead clove though flesh, through bone, through vital organs. Atard twitched several times as his body attempted to keep fighting, even though the brain had already perished. Tahar was spattered with arterial blood as the Hununtton collapsed, his skull split almost to the torso.

(Rolled a 20, then max damage for weapon, tripled for the critical hit, 27 pts dmg. Nicely done. Atard is irredeemable dead at -17 HP)

Seeing both Hununttons defeated, the skyknight visibly relaxed, his shoulders slumping and his head dipping. With the adrenaline rush of battle over, his wounds stacked up and left him feeling drained. "Your armor's gonna have to come off," Cloustrider said plainly.  "This might make things a little easier."  (CLW - 5 hp restored)

"Thank you Healer," the Skyknight said. "Terrible things are afoot, and I am in sore need of allies."

[Dozus]

Cloudstrider nodded.  He began to say something, but the sudden thud of the female Stalker against the pavement commanded his attention.  "I don't mean to discount you, but it might be good to have one of them alive to corroborate your tale," Balthustrol said with a polite smile.  He quickly turned and rushed to where the woman was, preparing his medical bag.  Given her actions and raucous demeanor, she didn't need to be treated with the same courtesy as the skyknight; the Hunutton would have to go without Sky Mother's blessing.

<OOC: Run to Taitanath and use "Heal" skill with the bonus from the healing kit>

[Scrasamax]

Reaching the rooftop where the Hununtton Stalker collapsed took the elf several painful moments to reach, he knew that each second that ticked past was a bit more blood pooled around the body. Each drop lost was one less drop to hold the woman's spirit to her mortal form. He reached her and she was in bad shape, an arrow wound, and hits from three darts each left bloody wounds. He opened the healer's bag, and quickly went to work.

The dart above her kidney was the deepest and was bleeding the worst. Using a small knife he cut the dart free. The metal weapon came free and clattered to the roofing tiles. Cloudstrider's hands were wet with blood as he worked, herbs and bandages staunched the worst of the wound's bleeding. The arrow and second dart in her back came away easier, his hands steady and sure as he worked.

He finished, closing the case with hands starting to become sticky from coagulated blood. She was breathing steady and though the bandages were staining through, she wouldn't die. Or at least she wouldn't die just yet. It was in the hands of whatever gods the woman prayed to if she would awake from her injuries.

[Ancient Gamer]

Naraias surveyed the scene. First he would have to reclaim his darts, alleviate the fallen of their equipment and then talk to the rescued knight. All this before the city watch arrived, which would be rather soon.

No doubt these knights and holy men will be given praise and public honour. Me? If I am lucky they will ignore my presence, but any probing might unearth my pirating history and time in the locker will be given. Ahh, well...

Trying to be discrete, Naraias went about recovering his darts and, when no one else were paying attention, recovering some other equipment as well. These Sutherlanders were too d**n strict. What did they think? That they needed their gear in the realm of the dead? Hell no, they were intruders and murderers and their coin belonged in Naraias' pockets.

<OOC: Recover darts and pilfer the bodies (use sleight of hand when needed). Then approach the knight and the Paladin. Also, Naraias is wounded, an arrow sticking out of his thigh. He will stop by the fountain and remove the arrow>

[valadaar]

Picking up his foes axe, Tahar regarded it breifly and tucked it in his belt.

"I doubt she would willingly do us any favors, but her own words may convict her.  If you wish to leave, you may - I will attempt to explain what has transpired to the gaurd.  Hopefuly some of these bystanders will collaberate our story." He looked down at the product of his violence, not entirely happy.  His strike was one of legends, but was this a worthy foe?

"And I believe we can be far better masters to these noble beasts then their late riders."

Tahar walked over to the fountain to clean off the blood before it dries. 

<ooc - there is little physical to mark Tahar as a paladin, apart from his behaviour. - his symbol is not prominately displayed, and he is wearing leather armor...>