[IC] Keratia: Tales of the Arisen One

[Guardian Angel Haruki]

Sylvia watched and listened carefully. She could see that this was the Lightning Company, the lazy knights themselves. They looked grizzled and far more professional than the thugs she and her friends arrested before. She then heard what they said. "The young lord"...? She then realized it. They were planning to get Erendal and his accomplice out of Gransys before Shor and the others could even have a chance to arrest them and put them through a fair trial.

They didn't have much time!

After getting a good look at the fishing boat for any defining features (even a boat name will do), so that she can point it out later, she gets Dinah to a place where no one can see her, and she snaps her to the Familiar plane once more. She then snapped out of her familiar's vision, and she turned to her friends, "We gotta go back and inform Yorik and the others, now. We don't have much time. The Lightning Company got the woman on the fishing boat, and they're planning to get Erendal on the boat as well. They're going to get them out of Gransys while Shor, Kor, and Cera are distracted,"

She then started to lead the way back to Shor's barracks. She was hoping that with this information, and with Yorik's help, they can go and arrest Erendal, before it was too late.

[Lucius Cypher]

Through Dinah’s eyes you spot the name “The Marianne” inscribed on the side of the boat. It was faded due to years of salt water explosive and rock damages, it legible enough for anyone who can read common. Once you got this information the others follow you back to Yorik, who was still at the barracks simply filing papers. Upon arriving Yorik notices your hurried look and takes up his shield. “Yer look like ya found trouble lassie. Wot did Ye and yers find out bout dem Lightning Louts?”

[Guardian Angel Haruki]

Sylvia answered Yorik quickly, almost out of breath, "Erendal's accomplice is on the fishing boat called 'The Marianne'. The Lightning Company said the Young Lord will be there soon. They know you guys are onto them, and they're taking advantage of Shor and the others being distracted. Erendal's trying to flee Gransys!" Her last statement could not be emphasized any more if she tried.

[Lucius Cypher]

Yorik nods his head. "Aight, I'll head to da boat an make sure they don't go nowhere. You all trail the lightning company blokes, take this." Yorik hands you his badge. "You with Shor's company now. Ye speak with his authority, specifically me. Be quick, dem gits are probably pullin a fast one on Shor, thinking his boys be leaving through da sewers, but they're probs gunna go over da cobblestone road! If they put up a fight don't be afraid ta take em down." Yorik grabs his flail and leaves the barracks. Shortfang had eyes on the Lightning Company this entire time, telling the group their rough location as you all were walking. Pylia strapped her shield on and looked towards you. "What a way to start the morning huh? Let's go!"

[Guardian Angel Haruki]

Sylvia accepts the badge and pins it onto her Robe of the Fire Rat, and she answered Yorik before he left, "Leave it to us!" She looked to Pylia when she spoke, and after a laugh, Sylvia answered somewhat jokingly, "Stopping a noble from trying to flee from the law? I'd say it's a perfect start!" She then looked to Buddy and she told him, "Make sure not to lose Shortfang now! We're gonna be hustling!" She then ran out of the door, hoping to intercept the Lightning Company and Erendal before they reached the boat, going by Shortfang's words of where the Lightning Company is.

[Lucius Cypher]

“Never a dull moment with you Sylvia!” Pylia says with a smirk as she followed you, along with Buddy and Shortfang. The Lightning Company we’re moving fast, and by the time they reached what looked like a mansion, someone who looked like a simple servant stepped out and followed them away from the mansion. Shortfang relayed this information as the lightning company and the servant. However there was a chance to intercept them using the very alleys they used to move quickly around the city.

“I know where they go!” Shortfang says as he gets out from his Familiar vision and directs the party to a fairly small backstreet area. There was hardly any traffic here, which would explain how the lightning company managed to move through here so quickly. “They come here soon, like... One minute!” Shortfang says as he gets out from Buddy’s bag and digs a hole in the ground with his magic, then covering it over with some trash, effectively creating a foxhole for himself. Pylia looked to you. “We should confront them here. If we’re lucky maybe we can convince Erendal to stand down peacefully.”

[Guardian Angel Haruki]

Sylvia followed Shortfang's words and direction until they reached the backstreet. After hearing the warning that they were gonna be there in one minute, she took out her tonfas and readied herself. She looked to Pylia when she spoke, and she nodded in agreement. She then added, "Sounds good to me. I think we should cover any potential exits as well, in case they try to run from us. I'll block their way back," She then warned the others, "Stay sharp. The Lightning Company do look grizzled, so don't underestimate them,"

After saying her words, she would move to hide so that when the Lightning Company and Erendal pass her, she can step out from her hiding place and block their way back, leaving the way forwards and one more potential exit to Pylia and Buddy.

Rolling Stealth

Stealth Check: 12
First Luck Point of the day: 21

[Lucius Cypher]

Your team hides as best as they could. Pylia finds a nice corner to stand behind while Buddy crouches down among some boxes, covering himself with a dirty canvas. Everyone was decently hidden and now you just had to wait. Seconds would go by feeling like hours until eventually you hear some rapid footsteps. They were heavy and moving quick. Before long you see them move past you: five figures, four armed and armored soldiers and one man dressed like a manservant. Despite his attire however the way he carried himself seemed almost regal, or perhaps arrogant. This was the moment you were all waiting for.

Pylia stepped out from her hiding spot, weapons in hand as she looked at the company who came to a halt and immediately drew their swords. "Erendal, you stand accused of acts of vandalism and destruction against the people of Gransys. We've uncovered your writing and have the confessions of the thugs you hired to terrorize the merchants around the trade district. Stand down!" The man at the center, who only had what appeared to be some sort of cane, didn't seem too phased. "You dare speak to me in that tone, you wretched whore? You have no authority over me! Stand aside or my guards here will cut you down and feed you to the dogs!" Pylia remained poised however, glancing in your direction. "There's no escape Erendal. Surrender now and no one has to get hurt!"

[Guardian Angel Haruki]

Sylvia stepped out of her hiding spot to face the backs of Erendal and the guards. She spoke up after Pylia reiterated her words, "And for the record: We do have authority, courtesy of the guards who actually give a damn about the people of Gransys," She made sure that her pin could easily be seen. She then called to them as she moved into the Satyr Stance once more, "Erendal! You have the right to remain silent! Anything you say can and will be used against you in a court of law! So hold your filthy tongue and come peacefully," She had recalled, from what she heard back home, that when arresting a criminal, she was supposed to give the criminal their Miranda Rights. Unfortunately, she only knew about the part regarding the right to remain silent.

[Lucius Cypher]

The guards looked nervous now that they were surrounded. One stands up straight and backs up. “That’s it. I’m out.” Erendal looks furiously at the guard. “What?! After all I’ve done for you, now you choose to betray me?!” The guard shakes his head. “I was paid to uphold the law, to the extent to ensure that justice is done. But now it looks like the tables are turned. Do with them as you wish, I have no quarrel with the other companies.” This made Erandel furious ads another guard dropped his sword as well. “I’ll have no part in this either. But if you allow me to walk free, I’ll gladly testify against Erandel.”

This made the nobleman snap. “Fuck you! Fuck all of you! Stupid peasants, all of you! Can’t you see what I’m trying to do?! I’m trying to bring this shithole city into a new golden age, and all you care about is fucking money and morals! NONE OF YOU DESERVE THE PROSPERITY ILL BEING! Kill them all!” Erandel drew a sword from his cane while the other two guardsmen drew their swords. The two who surrendered simply backed away from the enduring violence. “Sylvia, let’s take them down!”

ROLL INITIATIVE!

Rolls and Info

Shortfang (36/36) | Syfr (1/1) = 9
Pylia (31/31) = 8
Buddy (40/40) = 8
Erandel (27/27) = 4
Knight 2 (52/52) = 4
Knight 1 (52/52) = 3
Sylvia (27/27) = Roll for Initiative!

[Guardian Angel Haruki]

Sylvia watched as two of Erendal’s guards backed out of the confrontation. She hadn’t expected any of them to back out, but it was welcome. She looked to the guard who offered to testify against Erendal, and she answered him, “We’ll talk to you more about that after we finish things up here,” She couldn’t really give an answer right now, plus Shor’s company should know as well.

Of course her attention was drawn to Erendal, who clearly disregarded her words about his right to silence. It was both hilarious and sad at the same time. Sylvia has a feeling that this was going to be a cathartic fight for her, and possibly for Pylia as well.

She called back to Pylia, “Yeah!” as she leapt into action. With her Satyr’s Stance, she ran, almost bounded, right towards Erendal. Once she reached him, she aimed a tonfa attack against his stomach, before going to knee him in the groin. In between those attacks she coldly told Erendal, “Prosperity does not come from others’ suffering,”

Attacks against Erendal

Tonfa: 18
Damage: 6
Unarmed Strike: 25
Damage: 5

[Lucius Cypher]

Erandel didn't expect you to charge right at him. He goes to parry your tonfa, expecting you to try and smack his face but instead your low blows hit him cleanly. He staggars for a moment, but he's surprisingly still standing, fury in his eyes. "You vapid bitch! You don't know anything about suffering! How much I had to sacrifice to elevate my family to where they are, to help everyone in town, only to see them throw it away out of selfish pride! I gave them everything!" Erandel lashes out at you, feinting with his rapier to try and grab you. When he did he let loose a sudden electrical burst, similar to what you might've seen Atisha use once. Afterwards he backs away from you, trying to make some distance.

Mean while Syfr swoops down to the two knights, clawing and pecking at one of them. As they were momentarily distracted Shortfang fired two bolts into one of the knights from his hidden location, but by force of habit Shortfang aimed for the center of their chest which was quite armored. While the bolts went in, they didn't do nearly as much damage as he hoped for. However Pylia and Buddy were more than willing to make up for lost damage. Pylia charged towards the one who was distracted by Syfr and smashed her made right into his hip. Flames jumped out from her club and cause the knight's armor to rapidly heat up, showing noticeable damage to his armor. Then Buddy comes out of nowhere and smashes his axe across the back of the knight, cleaving cleanly though the knight's armor and making him shout in pain. He follows up with a rather swift and surprisingly graceful smash with the bottom part of his Urgrosh, knocking the knight down and out. The other knight turns to Sylvia, charging at you while swinging his sword across your chest and than neck. However his moves were hampered by the wounds inflicted by Shortfang's arrows, causing his first swing to fail to connect, and allowing the second to be easily dodged.

Rolls and Info

Sylvia (27/27) = 19
Shortfang (36/36) | Syfr (1/1) = 9
Pylia (31/31) = 8
Buddy (40/40) = 8
Erandel (16/27) = 4
Knight 2 (39/52) = 4
Knight 1 (Down) = 3

Shortfang Hand Crossbow vs Knight 2 = 21/20
Crossbow Damage = 4
Shortfang Hand Crossbow vs Knight 2 = 25/13
Crossbow Damage = 4

Pylia Warclub vs Knight 1 = 8/17
Warcub Damage = 11
Sword of Defiance vs Knight 2 = 24
Defiance Damage = 9

Buddy's Urgrosh vs Knight 1 = Nat 20
Crit Smite = 35
Buddy's Ugrosh vs Knight 1 = 18
Stab Damage = 11

Knight 1 is down!

Erendal's Shocking Grasp vs Sylvia = 19
Lightning Damage = 3

Knight 2 Longsword vs Sylvia = 3
Knight 2 Longsword vs Sylvia = 15

[Guardian Angel Haruki]

Sylvia started a retort right before Erendal struck her with an electric grasp, “That’s no excuse!” She gritted her teeth and managed to bear through the shock. She found that she couldn’t strike at Erendal as he moved away from her. She saw her friends successfully take down one of the knights who were still fighting, and thanks to that, she saw the other knight charge at her. She easily dodged his strikes. After that, she channeled a bit of her ki to allow her to back hand slap the guard’s sword hands before darting back to Erendal. She wasn’t going to let him escape, and it showed in how quickly she caught up to him.

She quickly struck the back of his knees with the tonfa and she told him, “The only proud and selfish person I see is you, Erendal,” She then warned him, “You’re down to one guard. This is your last chance to come peacefully, or we’ll knock you unconscious,”

Sylvia’s turn

Used the bonus action to spend a ki point for Step of the Wind to disengage from the knight. Then she moves up to Erendal and strikes him with her tonfa.

Tonfa: 25
Damage: 5 (Accidentally added my proficiency bonus when I made the roll. So 7-2=5. Sorry for the confusion. ^^”)

[Lucius Cypher]

Erendal stumbled as you struck him in the knee, kneeling there for a moment. He seemed to be panting frantically, likely at his wits end. He looks up and sees the two guards who have abandoned him, but he can't make up any words as he just growls at them. Meanwhile your allies had managed to more-or-less subdue the last guard, who after being caught by Shortfang's net, shot in the kneecaps, battered by Pylia's club and sword, and stabbed again by Buddy, dropped his sword in surrender. "No... No no no no no! This can't be how it ends!" Erendal roars as he slams his hands into the ground to the point he's breaking his fingers. "I WON'T LET IT END LIKE THIS! MY LEGEND WON'T END HERE! AAAAAAAARGH!" Erendal takes out a dagger from his shirt. In the brief moment you saw it, it looked like the dagger the skeleton mage had back at the strange waterfall cave where you found Buddy. But as soon as he took it out Erendal stabbed the dagger into his hand, causing the blade to grow a molten orange glow.

"YOU WILL ALL DIE HERE! YOU, YOU YOU YOU YOU!" And in an instant, he tossed the the dagger right pass you, and it exploded in a ball of fire that engulfed him and the two knights who had bothered to defend him. You and your allies were equally consumed by the flames, doing your best to minimize the damage. Fortunately for you your robes did exactly as Skinwalker described, dampening the damage of the flames despite how close you were at the center of the explosion. By the time the smoke cleared, Erendal and his two knights were charred corpses. Buddy was blackened and singed, but still okay. Shortfang was also burnt though this could only be told via his clothing, as his scales were already burnt black. Syfr, who was flying towards Erendal in hopes of distracting him, was also vaporized in the blast. However you would also notice that Pylia was blasted away, her body laying unmoving and partly on fire a few feet where she was once standing. She wasn't able to move fast enough to avoid taking the full blast from the fireball.

Rolls and Info

Sylvia (24/27) = 19
Shortfang (20/36) | Syfr (Dead) = 9
Pylia (0/31) = 8
Buddy (24/40) = 8
Erandel (Dead) = 4
Knight 2 (Dead) = 4
Knight 1 (Dead) = 3

Shortfang's Net vs Knight 2 = 21/25
Shortfang's Hand Crossbow vs Knight 2 = 16/Nat 20
Crit Crossbow = 13

Pylia's Sword of Defiance vs Knight 2 = 23
Defiance Damage = 6
Pylia's Warclub vs Knight 2 = 9/25
Warclub Damage = 7

Buddy's Urgrosh vs Knight 2 = 12/10
Buddy's Urgrosh Stab vs Knight 2 = 23/12
Stab Damage = 12

Erandel's Fireball (Dex save DC 13) = 33
Buddy's Dex save = 14
Pylia's Dex Save = 11
Shortfang's Dex Save = 13

[Guardian Angel Haruki]

Sylvia couldn't do anything. She couldn't do anything as she watched Erendal take out a dagger and stabbed himself with it. Her eyes widened when she noticed that the dagger looked like the one the skeleton mage had. Before she could even reach out to grab it, Erendal already threw it past her and it exploded into flames. She raised her arms to have the sleeves of her robes protect her face and hair as the flames appeared and consumed everything in its path.

Was this what it was like being in middle of an explosion? It wasn't a bomb, there was no deafening noise, but she was sure it was close enough.

When the flames died, Sylvia panted and looked to her friends, checking on each and every one of them. Her eyes landed on Pylia. Seeing her motionless, Sylvia screamed her name and ran to her. She kneeled by Pylia's side, and hurriedly took out the healing potion that was once part of the Jabrani Cultist's loot. She puts the potion bottle to Pylia's lips, attempting to heal her via potion. As she tries to get Pylia to drink the potion, she pleaded quietly, "Come on, Pylia, don't die on us now, please...!"

It seemed so real....That’s why she was surprised to suddenly see that she is not by Pylia’s side, but instead in front of Erendal as he’s about to throw the dagger.

There was no time to ask questions. With the images still in mind, she snarled “No you don’t!” and she grabs his hand, holding it still and yanking it so it would be between her and him, catching only the both of them in the flames. She was fine as the vision showed. Erendal still died, but everyone else...? She shakily stood up and looked to her friends and the other guards, “Is everyone ok?”

[Lucius Cypher]

It was strange what you saw. Like two different videos showing what would happen if you did or didn’t do something. It came and went in a second and by the time you could blink, the dagger was already in your hands. You could feel the head burning your fingers and palm as the weapon exploded right in your face. Miraculously, you came out relatively well. Your hair was smokey, your hands burnt, but you managed to protect your face thanks to the robes, and they didn’t even look damaged.

Your friends stood in awe and shock. Even the knights looked at you with a mixture of astonishment and even a little fear. Naturally it was Buddy who was the first to return to their senses as he punched the surrendering knight in the face, knocking him out. Upon doing so Pylia came to her senses as well and took out some rope to tie up the two. Shortfang came up to your side, looking at the now charred corpse of Erendal. “He crazy man! Kill himself with fire, why?” The kobold tried to search the body, but the flames burned the corpse to a bloody black mass. Whatever he had on him was reduced to charred ash, even the dagger crumbled into dust.

You could hear heavy footsteps down the alley and the familiar voice of Atisha barking out orders. Seems that she was just seconds too late to the party. Pylia walked over to you and looked at your hands. “Sylvia, you’re hurt! What you did, that was crazy!”

[Guardian Angel Haruki]

As her mind grappled and comprehended the visions, she held the dagger and endured the burning pain for....the third time now? Sylvia wasn’t sure anymore. After the explosion ended, Sylvia stood, now in a stupor herself. In that stupor she looked at her friends and the knights who remained unharmed as they stared at her. She didn’t react as Buddy punched the remaining knight, and Shortfang moved to Erendal’s body.

Sylvia slowly looked as he tried to loot the body. It almost felt like time had slowed down...Maybe she was in shock? She could feel herself shivering. She was definitely in pain with her hands. She answered Shortfang in a sort of a confused daze, “Out of his own pride...?”

She then saw Aisha arrive. She didn’t greet the woman, her attention was brought back to Pylia as she came up to her and inspected her hands. While Pylia spoke, Sylvia couldn’t help but remember seeing Pylia lay dying from the explosion. The fear subsided as it truly clicked for Sylvia: Pylia is okay. Sylvia smiled, still in shock, and she answered Pylia quietly and almost laughing with tears at the edges of her eyes, “You’re actually okay...! You, Syfr, Shortfang, Buddy, and those guards...you’re actually okay!”

[Lucius Cypher]

"Of course I'm okay, idiot! You... You stupid girl, you literally grabbed the fireball! How are you even still alive!?" Pylia was close to tears too, barely maintaining her composure as she used some of her magic to heal you. It was enough to prevent your burns from scarring, and aside from slightly singed hair you were back to full. Aisha was accompanied by some regular looking guardsmen and had the knights cuffed and arrested, while she had another pair cover Erandel's body. Once you and Pylia finished having your moment, Aisha walked over looking stern as ever. "Sylvia, I've received word that you had taken part of this investigation again, despite lacking Shor's immediate permission. I understand you spoke to Yorik however... Yorik does not have the authority to deputize civilians into the guard. I hope you understand that we'll need to take you and your friends in as culprits for what happened here." Hearing this immediately put Pylia on edge, angry at what Atisha was saying. "What the hells are you saying!? We've always been helping you guys with the crime in the city, and this is how you thank us?" Even Shortfang chimed in with a glare. "Not crime to stop bad guys. And they attack first! Crazy man tell guardsman to kill us, so we defend us!"

Atisha sighed but remained stone faced. "If this was any other rabble, even just the Lightning Company themselves, I could overlook what happened here and simply let the four of you go. However Erandel is the son of nobility, and with that there is much more scrutiny in every detail of what's happening here." Atisha looked at you directly. Her glare was hard, yet there was a hint of sympathy as well. Like someone who knows you're innocent, but also knows that you're in deep trouble. "Let me be plain to you. Whatever you heard, whatever you saw, no one else will believe it. Shor didn't want you all involved because we needed a stronger case than simply witness testimony that Erandel was engaged in anything that threatens the city. Those thugs you arrested were paid off that's true, but the content of the note itself made no clear indication that Erandel has anything to do with it. Even his escape from his manor means nothing if we have no proof he was trying to escape and not simply leaving for his own personal reasons." The dark elf rubbed the bridge of her nose and let our a sharp exhale.

"Let's return to the garrison for now and wait for Shor and the others. Don't get the wrong idea, I know you all were doing the right thing. But there are laws in place in this city to prevent people from just being vigilantes and taking justice into their own hands, especially when they harm the nobility and aristocrats who sponsors the guards and pay upkeep to the city. And now with Erandel dead, if people started asking questions they'll sooner make sure you see the executioner's block before you see a prison. I don't intend to let anyone do that to you though. So please, come with me."

[Guardian Angel Haruki]

Sylvia couldn't help but laugh, albeit shakily, after Pylia asked her question and she answered jokingly, "Sheer dumb luck?" It was probably the robe, but she figured Pylia would figure it out as well. She made a mental note to thank Skinwalker later if they saw her again. Her attention then turned to Aisha as she approached them. She was surprised to hear that she and her friends were to be taken in as culprits, and she breathed out in surprise, "...What...?" It wasn't long before Pylia and Shortfang chimed in with their own protests.

She was quiet as Aisha spoke the plain truth to the group. They had messed up big time. Had Sylvia made the wrong decision in going after Erendal after all? But if they hadn't done something...he would have escaped. She sighed through her nose. She had no refutes against Aisha's words. When she asked the group to come with her to the garrison for now, Sylvia nodded and answered "Alright. Lead the way," She knew better than to resist this. Resisting an arrest would probably make her and her friends no better than Erendal earlier and get them into more trouble.

As the group followed Aisha back, she asked Aisha, "What about the accomplice? She was on the Marianne Fishing Boat,"

[Lucius Cypher]

"Yorik had arrested her and the fishermen, which was how I even learned that something had happened. As you may or may not know, the guards cannot simply arrest you without due cause in Gransys. This why corrupt guardsmen cannot simply arrest someone for no reason and than demand bribes in order to release you. However Yorik decided to skip due justice and accuse everyone on that ship of colluding with Erendal, which by the way we still don't have full proof against. They complied with the arrest but naturally, it turns out the woman is a maid of House Redoran, of whom Erendal is the third son of." The dark elf sighed quietly as the group arrived to the garrison. The woman as well as three sailors were already behind bars, and soon they were joined by the four knights. Atisha had the guardsmen she had taken with her resume patrol. Yorik was sitting at the desk with a big grin and a black hand-shaped mark on his face. "Aye lassie, how'd it go? Ya give dat bogot a beatin?"