Clearing the Path

July 30th, 2007

Players: Vashbav, Reginald, Eochaid, Zsuzsa Sitting empty, this warehouse is over-large and filled with the echo of bats roosting somewhere near it's shadowy ceiling. Several crates, apparently empty, are overturned in the middle of the floor, and an old, moth eaten bolt of cloth lies just at the edge of the light, away from the front door. There's a curious stain on the floor in front of the door, just visible in the weak light.

Outside, a light rain falls from a grey sky. It's chilly and there's a brisk wind from the southeast. it's raining and warm.

It was an odd request, this meeting by the docks. So... clandestine. The fog is thick outside, and this old warehouse (which one would think perfect for vagrants to sleep in) is empty, musty and quiet. The dull sound of wave on wharf can be heard, along with the fog horn. A cloaked figure waits for you in the shadows, saying nothing until all have arrived. The only noise it makes is a light rasp of wheezing breath.

Vashbav is cloaked with in a thick vestment of furs. They reflect a soft scent of Rose oil and animal musk as the half orc pulls her hood back to give a glance about her. She clucks her tongue in an audible disapproval of the warehouse. "Hello." her voice bellows out only to echo back as the empty hull of a building stare blankly at the bardess.

Zsuzsa arrives looking like a bundle of fluff as her oversized cloak makes her look small within it. She looks about to survey the warehouse as best as she can. She walks up next to Vashbav and pushes her hood back as she sees the shadowy cloaked figure. Her head tilts just slightly as if trying to figure out who it is.

Eochaid appears inside the warehouse, one moment there is little more then a whisper of air movement, the next Eochaid is standing inside with an uninterested look on his face. He must have entered on the heals of one of the others because the door only opened twice. His grey clock is pulled tightly around him with the hood thrown back. He stands and waits for the cloaked figure to speak.

Reginald pulls his hood back and steps into the light, once all are here. His first attempt at speech is lost to a cough that starts deep in his chest and rattles out, wet and thick. A handkerchief is lifted to his lips, and then a gravely voice says, "You were named as people who might have an interest in working for knowledge, and being willing to keep that knowledge quiet." His hands link in front of himself and he continues, "For a secret known to all is of little value." A few of you will recognize Reginald from his shop, but he looks less the frail baker and more like a paranoid skulker in the shadows.

Zsuzsa quirks an eyebrow "Reggie?" she asks with a bit of a tone of 'what's going on?' in her quiet voice. She pushes a hair lightly through her lazy curls as she looks to see who else was here and is slightly surprised when she sees Eochaid.

Vashbav narrows her eyes softly. Her head tilts and her mind works over this news. "He has a job for us." Vash answers Zsuzsa's question for her. "Some knowledge..isn't meant to be known. Rather if it was known, it would be dangerous to the public."

Eochaid looks to the sickly human with a slight nod "One works for blood letting or coin, knowledge is just another currancy that can be used for great gain if few know of the information that One has carried in Ones brain." he then turns and bows to the ladies "Greetings Ladies." he states simply.

Reginald breathes into his handkerchief and nods, "Then the job is simple. We scout and clean. There are secret ways beneath this city, long used to move goods that are not meant for the guard to see. A highway of sorts. I found it when fighting the war, chasing Legionaires through the sewers." he looks around the warehouse, "The smugglers keep information flowing, important knowledge. They also ensure that the undercity is well cared for. Until recently."

Vashbav listens to this and nods slowly, "Lead on then." she offers and smiles at Eochaid. "its good to see one again." she whispers.

Zsuzsa watches Reggie a bit of concern crosses her face for the moment "Until recently...?" her eyebrows go up a bit at Vash and looks back to Reggie "What's happened recently?"

Eochaid bows again slightly to Vashbav then looks to Reginald again "One looks forward to entering the sewers, lead the way Sir and the group shall follow."

Vashbav nods slowly and gives a glance around her. "Tunnels under the city." she remarks and shakes her head slowly. "I guess it seems to fit, there are so many things that can be found here."

Eochaid nods to Vashbav "One knew there should be tunnels here but One has not as of yet found the entry to them." He then turns to look around the warehouse.

Vashbav looks at Eochaid. "Oh?" she asks and smirks. "I fear what we might find down there. I read stories of smugglers. Of the traps they would set up."

Eochaid grins "Yes there may be traps and such, it should not however be any worse then the other cities One has been in."

Vashbav looks at Eochaid, "Maybe." she points out, "Who knows."

Reginald takes a drink of cough medicine, then puts the syrupy vial back into a pocket. "Until recently, then... the shipments stopped." he sighs a bit at the prospect of showing more the entrance, but... help is needed. A ring in the floor is lifted, and a clever illusion of dirt-floor lifts with it. "The way is here."

Spiders and roaches have long since taken over this tunnel. Once upon a time goods were stored in the above warehouse, for the customs master to examine before letting them into town. When goods came in that were less legal or too valuable to pay a toll upon, the tunnel came into play. Torches, ready for use in wall sconces, prove that the area is still used, even if infrequently. The floor has three or four inches of water, fetid and cold, that has seeped in from the nearby sea. Once the well hidden hatchway above is closed, no outside light seeps in.

Zsuzsa follows Reggie into the tunnel a little hesitant at first.

Eochaid quickly follows into the tunnels, he is now interested and aware of what goes on around him.

Reginald takes a copper piece from a pocket deep in his armor and hands it to Zsuzsa. It is alive with a heatless flame, and provides light to see by. "I told you that I once explored the world, among the adventurers guild, yes?" then looks to the other two present. "If you see me not, don't worry. I'll be close."

Vashbav makes her way into the tunnels and gives a glance to the roaches, and spiders. She gives a glance at the copper, "Useful." She remarks at the item. She nods though, "I do not fear what is down here. Stories with Danger of some sort make the best to be told."

Zsuzsa nods to Reggie as she takes the copper piece and holds it in the palm of her hand. She tries to not look too nervous as she sighs slightly looking around in the tunnel.

Eochaid looks for a moment at the burning pipe, then nods at Reginalds words, "This One will also be nearby if needed"

Reginald gestures to the West, then slips into the shadows and swiftly joins the darkness.

Four tunnels intersect. To the east a series of steps come out of calf high water, knee high on the smaller folk. The watery passage continues in that direction for quite a distance. Dryer tunnels lead to the north and the west, braced with timbers of oak and the occasional stone pillar. The craftsmanship leaves something to be desired, but does the job well enough. Southward, a banded oak door painted solid black is closed and locked against intrusion.

Vashbav moves to slide ahead of Zsuzsa, "I have darkvision...the light will mess with it." She remarks.

Eochaid pulls his hood up and moves to just outside the light, following along behind the group.

Zsuzsa nods "Best to have you in front of me anyway" she says with a chuckle. She tries to move quietly through the water in the tunnel with the little light in her hand.

In the depths of the tunnels light is an unknown, except that which you carry. This crossroads is a place of many choices. Further to the west you hear the faint sounds of voices, and to the north there is a scrabbling sound. Smuggler's Tunnel - Intersection

Four tunnels intersect. To the east a series of steps come out of calf high water, knee high on the smaller folk. The watery passage continues in that direction for quite a distance. Dryer tunnels lead to the north and the west, braced with timbers of oak and the occasional stone pillar. The craftsmanship leaves something to be desired, but does the job well enough. Southward, a banded oak door painted solid black is closed and locked against intrusion.

Vashbav looks around slowly and licks her lips. She quiets down and closes her eyes in an attempt to hear what might be making the scrabbling sound.

Vashbav opens her eyes and glares north. "A woman, muffled as is being silenced by a hand or gag..." she remarks and looks at the others in her group.

Zsuzsa nods to Vash "I hear it too" she says in a whisper trying not to alert anyone to their presence.

Eochaid just listens to the Ladies speak as he looks around the room waiting for a decision to be made on direction.

The sound of a foot stomping down can be heard from the tunnel to the North, and there is a feminine grunt that's quickly followed by a higher pitched squeal, and then the sound of bare footsteps slapping against the tunnel floor. A girl runs in, a rare beauty. She's cut across the right breast, her shirt hanging open. The skirts she wears are tattered and muddy, and she falls to the floor at Vashbav's feet, sobbing. "H...orrible. Horrible! They... they..."

Vashbav moves to catch her and give her a glance over. The half orc gives a glance back to Zsuzsa and Eochaid. "It looks as if we have our direction." she remarks and moves to head towards where she came from, apparently the half orc doesn't think of leaving the woman alone in the dark. A meaty hand is brought to her sword as its pulled from is scabbard and held at bay at her side.

Now vash, doesn't wear to much jewelry, Rather, a simple necklace, a simple bracelet, and a simple copper ring. It taps gently upon the hilt of her sword. A steady beat as if it was a heart beat. When in fact it is paced to match the bardess' own. Slowly, through the beat, her music ability wraps around the tune, enchanting it with the natural gift that she has.

Zsuzsa gasps as she sees the girl "What the.." she says the girls stuttering cuts off the rest of that question. She doesn't get to finish the question as she looks to Vash and blinks a couple of times.

Eochaid sees the girl come running and moves to the tunnel she came running from staying just to the side of the tunnel against the wall of this room, so he can be ready to attack if someone else enters the room without making a shadow across the tunnels opening. His rapier and mace come to hand as he waits there watching Vashbav go down the tunnel.

Coarse stonework transforms into even rock walls halfway up one side of the tunnel. Near that point, the support beams take a grisly visage. Carven images of mutilated Dryads, crucified upon their own great trees, scream in eternal agony from these wide old beams. What was once a door has been sealed against the ages, locked forever closed with brick and mortar. Only a thin sliding panel that opens to look in the basement of the Dryad remains. A hundred year old message, chipped carefully into the stone of the walls, reads - Sealed by order of Wolfgang Stonekiller, Captain of the Royal Guard. May this murderous path never hide the death of another man's wife. From time to time, the entrance is pried back open again by enterprising hands.

Eochaid moves silently along the tunnel staying out of the light as much as possible, but close enough that he can watch for any sort of debries that may trip him up or make noise as he walks.

Zsuzsa follows behind stopping long enough to close her eyes for a moment, upon opening them there is a blue glow to them as a blue shimmer surrounds her body for a moment before disappearing again. She blinks her eyes and the glow is gone, but a slight shimmer remains around her when the light hits from an odd angle. She continues again behind them once that is done.

Two female forms stand, quickly gibbering to each other as they decide what to do, until you decide for them by showing up. They are tall and buxom, but the speech is odd. A light click accompanies their whispered words. Each has a matching club of ironwood in their hand, and they face the two women with a visicous hiss.

"T...there they are! The horrid beasts! They... they will eat you if you let them." is sobbed from behind, as the girl stays at the edge of your light to the rear.

Vash seems to bank on her race. A half orc, no matter what race they really are, are often first thought of as a barbarian, and so, Vash, uses this even in battle. A growl eminates from the half orc, low and feral its almost a warning that she intends to attack. Her finger clicks upon the hilt of her sword again, the tempo speeding up to match the speed of her heart. "So be it." Vash offers and raises her sword readying herself for battle.

Eochaid is still inside the tunnel and behind the sobbing woman, his weapons are ready for battle and it really does not matter who he kills.

One of the women mutter a spell and is encased in armor much like Zsuzsa's, while the other's mouth opens impossibly wide, spreading with a sticky sound, and a web shoots out of it, heading for the large bardess.

Vashbav growls as she finds herself held in place. Pulling at the sticky webbing her strength is not enough to break it and the half orc drops her song. The echoes linger in the air, aiding her allies.

Eochaid is nowhere to be seen it is as if he is no longer with the group, however if one was to look hard enough they would see him moving along the edge of the room to move into a flanking position behind the two women that are attacking Vashbav.

In a surprising move Zsuzsa spins on her heel and faces the girl behind the group, her eyes narrow towards her with a blue glow about them again at her hand a small ball of light starts forming, with a flick of her wrist she sends not one but two balls of blue energy towards the young girl. Hitting the girl in the chest and stomach.

The girl looks stunned at the spin, but has a target for the spell that she spits out. A light blue mote settles upon Zsuzsa after the whispers of the lovely young thing, and your sorceress' eyes close as she slumps to the ground, asleep. The 'distraught' girl stares at Vashbav and runs a finger along her breast, trailing it through blood, before lifting it to her lips and whispering, "Don't worry, orcling, you'll die very, very, happy."

Two orbs of acid sizzle through the air, one striking the girl who just cast sleep upon Zsuzsa and the other splashing harmlessly against the wall, near where the two more obvious enemies are standing. As his spell is cast and position broken, Reginald whispers, "Perhaps, but it will not be this day."

The two creatures in front move a little. One of them casts sleep against Vashbav, but it's ignored by virtue of her ability, and the other spits a wad of netting towards Reginald. It sticks to the wall behind him, spreading out in a sticky-white splay.

The rouse is given up, and Vash growls out in anger. Her body ripples as she steps forward, the goo that was holding her shreding like panties on a prom night and the half orc growls out. "YOU Creature of stupidity." she offers to the woman they thought was the victim, "Shall die last."

Eochaid steps out of the shadows behind the woman that had sent the web flying at Vashbav. His Rapier sings a song of death as it enters her head at the base of the skull and comes sticking out through an eye socket. He swings as well with his mace but does not connect with it, it is readily noticed that the mace was not needed as blood flows freely from the womans head. Eo shakes her off of the blade and turns toward the woman with the mage armour.

The sorceress from behind takes great offence at Reginald's reply to her lovely little speech, and turns to launch herself at the baker, but instead of a deadly and viscious move, she stumbles on slick stones, crashes into the wall, and nearly falls in her reckless motion. Reginald is still three feet away at the end of her rush.

The one that's closest to Reginald startles him, and he draws his rapier. With a lunge the tip pierces perfectly through the left side of her shapely breast, glides through ribs and exits the back. She stands, pierced, and looks as surprised as he does until she falls backwards off the sword, thumping to the ground. "I..." he coughs, "Gods I wish Cugh were here to see this."

The creature with mage armor upon itself turns and lunges at Eochaid, and with a lucky snap bites into the flesh of his hand as he fends her off. Thick black poison flows into the rogue, and when she pulls back the wound is sticky and black, fetid. Strength flows from his body.

Vash growls and swings her sword out. The enchanted blade sings through the air as the half orc attacks the mage armored woman. Her sword hits solidly, slamming into her flesh and cutting deep, though not enough to drop her yet.

Reginald runs up and lifts Zsuzsa by the shirt, pulling her to a sitting position, and slaps the living shit out of her. KPOW!

Eochaid stabs the bitch that bit him with his rapier doing less damage this time but still enough to kill her. He uses his mace to push her off his blade then stomps on her face, before walking back to the shadows.

Vashbav Looks around and frowns, "Do we kill them." she asks the duo. "Or leave them be?"

Zsuzsa gasps at the sting on her cheeks from Reggie smacking her. She smacks him once for good measure. She sighs as she stands up "That was embarrassing" she looks to Vash "Huh? Who?" and then she sees them "Oy" is all she says.

"I think we found the blockage, though I wonder at the sounds from the western tunnel. That place has been untouched since the rebellion, when the Unbound left Vintermor." Reginald says, as he rubs his face, "And you didn't have to slap me, Zsuzsa. I only did it to break the enchantment."

Vashbav nods. "Alright, so...to the other tunnel?" she asks and gives a glance around. "Do we kill them?" She asks

Eochaid prays for a moment to stop the bleeding then steps back out of the shadows "One would say we finish them off, better they die now then become one of those things."

Zsuzsa shrugs "Reflex sorry" she says quietly to Reginald. Nodding she agrees with Eochaid "Are you alright?" she then asks him.

The middle aged female, almost pretty when she's not biting people, is wounded sorely. When Eochaid stomps her face, she reverts to her natural form. No longer alluring, spider blood oozes from holes in the carapice.

Vashbav looks at Eochaid, "Don't waste your magic." she remarks suddenly, "I have wants for such needs.

Eochaid nods to Zsuzsa and Vashbav,"One is ok the poison that is flowing through Ones body is worse then the actual phyisical hurt"

Monsters in the sewers are not treated with a huge amount of respect, from Reginald. The one that cast upon Zsuzsa is stared at for a few seconds, then stabbed in the eye. A deep wound that finishes it, and returns even the buxom lass to spider form. "We can leave, if you'd like. I will not fault you for needing to heal after such poisoning. The mission can be accomplished by another." he winces as he says that, though.

Eochaid looks to Reginald with a odd glint in his eye, is it due to the poisoning or due to blood lust, you will never know for sure. "One is ready to continue, One is just a little weaker, that does not make One too weak to continue." He then uses the clothing of one of the creatues he slew to clean his blade.

Zsuzsa picks up the little copper piece that she dropped when she fell asleep, literally. She tries to brush off her cloak but it's wet so she just shakes her head. "You'd think falling asleep and landing in cold water would wake one up" she mumbles as she adjusts her half wet cloak. She sounds frustrated.

Vashbav shakes her head slowly, "No, I am in this until the end." she gives a glance to Eochaid, "Lets move on."

Reginald touches Zsuzsa on the shoulder comfortingly, then turns towards the south again, "Then let us be gone, and see what there is to see." Before that's done, anything left behind by the spiders is tossed into a sack for later distribution.

Four tunnels intersect. To the east a series of steps come out of calf high water, knee high on the smaller folk. The watery passage continues in that direction for quite a distance. Dryer tunnels lead to the north and the west, braced with timbers of oak and the occasional stone pillar. The craftsmanship leaves something to be desired, but does the job well enough. Southward, a banded oak door painted solid black is closed and locked against intrusion.

Six alcoves, each with a closed wooden door next to it, line this hallway. In each of the alcoves a pedestal stands, atop them busts of famous figures from Vintermor's distant past sit. Each of the busts has been decorated in a different manner, but a common theme among them is heavy makeup and silly looking hairpieces. Some have painted on mustaches, eye patches, or even mummified tongues glued to stone lips. One, in particular, stands out. The face has been painted over in blood red, the shape of a skull drawn upon the stonework. From the top of it's head a dagger sticks, rammed into the marble somehow. Above this statue's alcove, a pair of rusted manacles hangs, their clasps shattered.

The hall itself is precise, cut from the hard stone by magical means. Every twenty feet, a stone brace rises from the floor and arches to meet at a decorated capstone. Each stone represents a tool of the thieves trade, from dagger to picks. All doors are unlocked, interior bolts secure them when occupied, but thieves law dictates that only a dead man steals from his brethren.

The strange echoes of speech come from this hallway. At the far end there is a lit doorway, glowing from a fire within. Between you and that is a hunched figure. She mutters to herself and scratches runes into the stone with a nail. Between you and her is a standard stone floor, behind her is a floor that burns with red runes, writ in infernal.

Vashbav moves to put her sword away and pulls out her cross bow before lining up a shot to take.

Vashbav pulls out her crossbow and is brought up. Laying it across her arm she takes aim at the creature and lets go with a bolt. It fires off missing the woman and the half orc curses as she drops it, "Rutty damn thing."

Zsuzsa frowns at the hunched figure and sees Vash fire at it, she's not sure what it's doing but it looks not good. So she fires off two more little blue balls of light, hitting the creature in the head with them.

The figure stands and starts moving toward the party. For the first few steps you see her outlined, hunched and powerfully build, very tall, and then she simply disappears, gone from view.

Eochaid silently moves around the group trying to get to a good location to kill this new threat.

Reginald refocus's, preparing himself for when the creature appears again.

Vashbav reaches down and starts to look for dirt, to help toss around and see where said invisible woman is.

The hag comes out of invisibility and lands a claw surrounded by dark radience on Zsusa. "Sssttp. Ugly things, invading our place!" She's in the middle of you, and seems quite confident in her ability to leave you utterly destroyed, one against two.

Eochaid steps out of the darkness as his rapier stabs into the hags kidneys, his follow up swing is foiled by the hags jerking motion to get away from the rapier. This foe is not dead but will be soon as far as Eo is concerned.

From his place in the shadows, Reginald flicks his hand out and barks a spell. A missile flys forth and hits the hag in the neck, splattering her face with acid and rocking her back a bit. "Some things should stay in the deepest darkness. You're one of them, you ugly crone."

Vashbav is turned away from the combat staring at something.

As Eochaid and Reginald attack with rapier and arrow alike, Zsuzsa steps away from, the ugly bitch and musters up some strength to fire two more magic missiles of light at her.

Taking a slice from Eochaid, the hag Rushes at Reginald and swipes at him with claws, cutting his flesh and screaming at him in anger.

As the hag rushes away to Reggie Zsuzsa takes the opportunity to pull out her shortspear from it's hiding spot.

Reginald takes a step back, out of the hag's reach, and croaks out a desperate spell, turning suddenly invisible.

Zsuzsa moves forward to attack the hag while it tries to advance at Reggie but the vile bugger moves and it just becomes a case of bad timing as the spear swishes through air instead.

Frustrated at the disappearance, the hag attacks with one claw again, summoning dark energies to her hand. But, once more Zsuzsa saves against the debilitating curse! "Pretty, he left you to me... All for me."

Stepping back now that it seems she's the only one left in the tunnel with the hag, she fires off two more of the balls of blue light, hitting the hag in her chest. She gets really nervous now seeing that she injured the hag but she's still alive, she swallows hard. "Reggie, if you're still around here somewhere I sure could use your help" she says a little loudly.

The Hag makes her save, barely ignoring the effects of Reginald's spell, but Zsuzsa is not quite so lucky. She's blind for a moment, and falls down stunned. "You kill her, to kill me, wizard? I... rather like you. Still, you die." is spoken by the hag.

Reginald flicks his arm and slips a wand into his hand, and that last desperate ploy leads to a missile of light flicking out at the hag, just enough to finish her. Reginald grasps the claw marks across his belly, and groans in pain. "Damn."

Zsuzsa leans against the wall, suddenly very tired, not in the sleepy kinda way. She's drained from the attacks from the damn hag.

Reginald moves up and touches your cheek with something, muttering a command word after saying "I'm sorry about that, Zsuzsa. Are you ok?"

Zsuzsa nods slowly as she looks at you "Yeah, nearly didn't think I was going to make it out of these grimey tunnels though" she says quietly, and looks around a bit.

Reginald has his back to the writing that glows upon the floor, and does not notice the shadow at the far end of the hall. With it's back to the firelight a dark shape appears and glares down the hall. In a rush it comes at you, fleshy feet slamming into the ground. When a little closer you can see the flesh golem clearly, with mismatched breasts stitched to a powerful chest, thighs and arms from a half orc, the cock of a halfling male and the dainty lower legs of a female human dancer. A full mane of silky golden hair around a face best described as one a mother could love. It roars angrily and cries out, "You!" As if it had a strange halo, you see faint visage of a demon floating behind the golem, controlling it's actions.

Vashbav frowns and looks around, she swallows lightly and starts to belt out a song, They are going to need it...badly.

Zsuzsa looks towards the thing startled at the bellowing You that rang out. She groans and shakes her head slightly "What the fuck is that?" she says quietly.

Reginald grabs Zsuzsa, in case she can't see, and runs like a rabbit. He does not even notice the construct jerk like a dog on a chain, right where the runes end and the regular hallway begins. He just runs.

Vashbav growls and pulls out her sword. "Where the hell do you think you are going" she calls to them and eyes the flesh golem for a moment. "Maybe we should run."

Reginald is assholes and elbows.

A ball of fire begins to form around the creature's hand, and it whispers in a sweet little boy's voice, "Oh, don't run. Come to me. I just want to talk to you... I'm a prince."

Zsuzsa eeps as Reggie grabs her and starts running. "Ok Reg I got the point I'll run" she says wiggling out of his grip as she runs on her own, she looks back for a split second and notices that Eochaid's already disappeared again.

The possessed construct snarls as soon as Vash get close enough to injure it, and injure it she does! The attack is not as damaging as it looks, but still a rent is scored in the cursed flesh. In return it slams a fist down at Vashbav, knocking her back. It would follow up to attack, but the line of runes keeps it from getting closer to the Orc bardess.

Vashbav growls as with her attack brings an attack, The half orc moves back, "Run like Frihet's wind..." she offers. Apparently not so stupid enough to not know when to lick wounds.

Reginald stops at the exit to the tunnels and spits up a glob of blood, then looks at each of you in turn. "It's worse than I'd ever thought. I will... I will let people know, who are responsible down here. This temple has been unhallowed." He looks sadly back towards the shrine, "Tell not the paladins of the city, though, or there will be no place for free people to skirt the law."

Vashbav shakes her head slowly, "These tunnels are not for the good people of this city." she remarks and pulls out a wand before tapping herself with it."