Cheryl the Assistant Innkeeper, Scourge, a sweater wearing rat-dog arrive, following Mae.

1 Inverno novice guards, Buio, a melanistic osprey arrive, following Oriana.

1 Inverno novice guards, Buio, a melanistic osprey leave, following Oriana.

The call went out, a group is being organized, taking advantage of Princess Jaenelle Velenosa's decision to close the Dockyard to eliminate foot traffic and potential spread of this disease. Princess Coraline Thrax has been placed in charge of the combat aspect of this mission, while Reigna Keaton is ensuring the Commons Clinic is ready as needed to see to any wounded or infected.
Between Amantha and Raymesin's information gathering, the group has a starting point deep within the warehouse district that is close to the warehouse Amantha reported seeing. Now. The group just has to FIND it.

The streets are eerily quiet, this part of the warehouse district is decrepit, derelict buildings in disrepair line the curved, cobbled pathways that twist and turn without regard to logic, as if the streets were grown organically instead of with advanced forethought and planning. There is a general miasma of stench, garbage and rotting things, with an undercurrent of something sour and coppery. The street ahead branches into three directions, towards the docks, deeper into this abandoned seeming maze of broken down warehouses, or away, towards a more gentrified looking area.

Scourge, a sweater wearing rat-dog have been dismissed.

Cheryl the Assistant Innkeeper have been dismissed.

Renn, the mousy, scholarly brunette have been dismissed.

Morgan, a roguish looking gentleman have been dismissed.

Anya, the cool as an ice cube Champion apprentice have been dismissed.

Merek checked intellect + streetwise at difficulty 25, rolling 4 higher.

Mae checked perception + streetwise at difficulty 25, rolling 23 higher.

Caspian checked intellect + streetwise at difficulty 25, rolling 5 lower.

Dressed in her full steel plate, her sword at the ready, Cora looks over those who are gathering to take down this danger to the Lowers and to Arx as a whole. "Alright, I need my finders up front, we need to locate this spot we are looking for and they will need protected, those who can fight and are armored for it, keep em safe yeah." She then moves to do just that.

Ian checked perception + streetwise at difficulty 25, rolling 4 lower.

Asher checked intellect + streetwise at difficulty 25, rolling 29 higher.

Harper checked perception + streetwise at difficulty 25, rolling 27 higher.

Coraline checked perception + streetwise at difficulty 25, rolling 16 lower.

Raymesin checked perception + streetwise at difficulty 25, rolling 13 higher.

Mae Culler arrives at the behest of the Culler family, and she arrives /alone/. Sorry Scourge! She's looking happily clueless (happy despite the mood), and she's not been part of any of this up to this point. But she must have gotten something of a memo, because she's armored! Covered first in a pretty silk cloak, then layers of blackish leather beneath. "What's a finder?" Mae asks, cheerily, as she steps toward Coraline. "Your highness."

Bashira checked perception + streetwise at difficulty 25, rolling 7 higher.

Ian looks pretty much the same armored as unarmored, as he usually wears most of it. He has his gloves on, and a sword at his hip. He'd probably look super cool all in leather with a sword and a badass cane if it wasn't for the scarf. Looped at his belt is a scarf that started out hideous and has only been made uglier with the various burn marks and stains that it has acquired. It's a scarf that should have been destroyed long ago, but here it is. He's not even wearing it like a proper scarf.

Ian also has his satchel with him, and wears it crosswise across his chest. Soft clinking inside suggests (surprise!) there's alcohol in there among other things. He leans against his cane and scans the street. Not that he has any idea what he's looking for.

Amantha checked intellect + streetwise at difficulty 25, rolling 5 lower.

Merek has come with his cloak on, hooded as it is to cover his features. He has his weapon at his hip, and daggers on the other side, his mirror shield upon his back, and also has his other gear as well. He has on his gloves which he stretches a bit while he follows with the others. The Seer looks to the othes, while he makes a motion, "I did some investigation into the Archives," no one will question that hopefully, but he won't give away sources, "There might be someone living in the Sewers, who has been... Well, what's the word? Corrupted, it is an old tale we found."

Denica stands quietly beside Coraline, looking around with her fingers resting on the pattrns of her bow. She glances to her curiously. "I'm just staying with you for now, yes?" Denica wonders, she's not doing quite so much yet, just looking around for anything that might look like a threat.

Caspian is just behind the finders, as Coraline instructed, hand resting on the pommel of his knife as he moves along side with his sister, offering her a smile. "Before you even say it," he says back to her, "I'm fine, I promise, and I will be careful. You be careful too, okay? We're not done your training yet." He looks over to Merek, lifting his brows, "Really? Not that surpising, I guess."

A grin to Mae, who might not see it as her helm is on, "Finder means people who are locating where we are going, doing the trackign to get there." Cora nods at Denica, "Yeah, make sure I can get between you and danger." Even as she speaks her eyes are moving everywhere, watching, waiting, listening. She knows things will get bad fast, now to prepare for it.

Harper enters fully geared up from her patrol of the Lowers and looks around curiously. She shrugs and eyes the crowd to see if she knows anyone. Stepping up next to Coraline she grins and leans in to say, "Heya Princess! Heard something was happening down here. Figured I should come check it out." She nods over to Mae with a little wave, "Heya Mae!"


As promised - much to Coraline's annoyance no doubt - Amantha is present, within the gathering crowd. In fairness, she's looking much better than she has recently. Donning armor of dark leather, the redhead keeps to herself for the most part, save the occasional nod of recognition to those she's familiar with; Coraline, Asher, Harper.. and Ian, who earns a look of mild amusement as he clinks by.

"Oh. Great." The muffled voice of Asher comes from within the doctor's mask he has brought. When did he get here? Well, he may have been waiting. Or something. But the Grayhope man is certain to play it safe. The leather armor is good for keeping quiet, rather than the rattle of metal. And the diamondplate long-knife he has might be good for 'corrupted' things. "We're fighting a myth. Since when is that ever a good time, aye?" Despite the words, his voice does sound happy enough. "I've been down there before, perhaps a different section. I'll go first, when we find our way in. Careful, now, people set up traps down there sometimes. Almost lost my head last time." A glance to Amantha. "Feeling better, then? Or are you sickly still?"

Heimlin, the Scholar, 5 Harthall house guards arrive, following Orvyn.

Heimlin, the Scholar, 5 Harthall house guards leave, following Orvyn.

Bashira is here, along side her older brother. The Shaman is looking a bit grim and dressed in all black leather today with two small weapons tucked away. One rubicund and one in steel. She gives a look to Caspian and there's a smile to him, "I will be fine. Just don't do anything silly." she tells him in her usual quiet tone. She then gives a nod to those that she knows and there's a respectful dip of her head to Coraline, "Your highness." she states.

Raymesin, in worn black leathers as usual, is just quietly lurking to one side, with the group but not exactly part of it. He nods to a few of the familiar Lowers faces, but more-or-less ignores most of the rest.

Harper gets a grin from Cora as well, "Good to have you on board, we are after some pretty nasty nasties, I just wanna make sure we get the baddies and get everyone else home safe and in one piece." Amantha gets a look of exaserbation but she doesn't complain at her being there, just seems to make a mental note of who to look otu for. Bashira gets an approving nod from Cora, "Good to see you here."

Tyce the gruff and disapproving leaves, following Juliana.

Ian eyes Merek. "Corrupted." He sighs. "So it's definitely the sewers, then?" Possibly anticipating an affirmative answer, he's shifting his bag around to where he can get something out of it.

Mae tugs down the dark silk scarf that covers her mouth, so she can flash a smile at Harper, and send a kiss through the air. Then the scarf comes back up, voer her face. She watches Merek. She listens. She says nothing.


"If you have to ask, then I am obviously looking utterly fetching." Amantha replies wryly to Asher, drifting over closer toward he and Coraline. Catching that look from the latter, the Harrow offers a grim smile.

Denica nods to Coraline, looking over to those that join up, only recognizing Ian so far. Her normal jovial impishness replaced by nerves and a twist of her lips as she concentrates on keeping herself upright for the moment, glance moving to Harper and Amantha for a few moments.

"I'll be good, promise," Says Caspian back to Bashira, giving her a two fingered salute. He waits around for others who are better at him at finding stuff to direct him on where to go, otherwise he just keeps an eye out.

For the most part Cora has taken stock of the fighters, the non fighters, and who will need to be actively protected and watched out for. She does have a moment to give Amantha a look of wry amusement, "Didn't think you would sit this one out, just know you are not allowed to die. I forbid it." She thinks a moment, "Actually that goes for all of you."

Coraline checked perception + survival at difficulty 15, rolling 19 higher.

"It is for sure the Sewers, from what others have said combined with what I found, it is also the only place to keep such animals without letting the Lowers know," Merek mentions, while he nods to Ian, then he shifts his blade and twirls it, the black diamondplate seeming to shimmer with its warmth as he does. He moves thn to Denica to speaks.

"Always do, Amantha, but I asked how you -feel-. Good enough that I don't have to watch you, or should I keep more of an eye on you than usual?" Asher's playful, but well-meaning. He's on to checking for tracks, signs of passage. "Aye, your highness, nobody dying on your watch, I'll catch all manner of nagging on the Wheel if I do, I understand."

Ian takes a small lantern out of his bag and hands it to Denica, because she's standing right there. Then he gets out a candle. His mouth tightens a little bit as people exchange promises not to die, but it's a passing reaction.

Harper tosses a wave over to Amantha before turning her attention back to Coraline. Raising her eyebrows she says, "Well alright then." She starts looking over the crowd of people as if sizing them up. She eyes Amantha again then drops back to stand next to her, "I've got your back, Amantha." At the mention of sewers she just shakes her head, "Why's it never a search for something in a field full of daisies?" But she starts keeping a careful watch, slipping easily and readily into her habits as a guard.

Merek says, "It's worse when it involves fields of daisies. Trust me."

Asher nods along with Merek. "Aye, then there's a false sense of security. And then the daisies try to... I don't know. Eat you?" A small pause. "...Smells better, though."

Her eyes having been looking about the area Cora notices a mural and across from which is a gate. She pads over to see what she can see, she whistles in such a way to catch people's attention and points to direct people here as well.


"I have no intention of doing so." Amantha assures Coraline, pleasantly, coming to a halt nearby and shifting her weight gently from one foot to the other. "Just to get roughed up enough to have a comely Princess nursing me for another week or so, Highness." Asher's remarks warrant a reasonably good-natured roll of eyes from the redhead, though she does cast a faint smirk his way after a moment. "I take no responsibility for where your eyes wander. But to answer your question.. I -feel- well enough." A lantern already dangles from one hand, and she nods approvingly, if mostly to herself, as Ian produces another. For Harper, there's a subtle nod of gratitude, waylaid by a soft snort of amusement following Merek's aside.

Bashira gives a smile to her brother and then gives a nod to him, "Thank you." she tells him. Then the woman looks to the ground and there's a tilt of her head to the side as she walks along, "A funny bit of tracks." she tells the group as a whole. She crouches down to look at some of them, "Some of these shouldn't be in the city proper. I'm guessing." she adds.

Denica makes a little face towards Merek when he leans in, looking a little confused but she nods before she's suddenly holding a lantern. "Oh, yes," she murmers. "It's like to get dark in there." she says, moving to follow Coraline as she leads the way forward. "Look, Cora, I'll do my best not to die down there. I'm just perhaps a little nervous."

Coraline checked intellect at difficulty 10, rolling 2 higher.

Mae wanders, looking this way and that. She hears Bashira, then whirls on a toe, and starts that way. She eyes the ground, then nods. "Weird," she agrees. "Definitely weird." But then Coraline whistles, so Mae just turns and starts over that way. Of note: She's not jingling.

Buio, a melanistic osprey arrives, delivering a message to Caspian before departing.

Amantha's words get a grin from Cora, "Oh dear, you know if you just want me to come fuss at you you don't need to be injured for that." She says amused, Denica gets a shoulder pat of encouragement, "You will be protected." Mae gets a nod then she indicates the gate, "Fairchild mentioned 'The gate next to Mangata's son.' This is directly across that mural of Mangata holding the sun in her hands. I think this is where we need to go."

Ian follows along with Denica. He seems to be keeping close-ish to her. Maybe to soothe her nerves. Maybe because she has his lantern. Like Caspian, he seems to be letting people who know what's going on lead him to something that needs stabbing.

Amantha checked intellect at difficulty 10, rolling 0 higher.

Merek checked perception + survival at difficulty 15, rolling 1 lower.

Ian has rolled a critical success!
Ian checked perception + survival at difficulty 15, rolling 115 higher.

Denica checked perception + survival at difficulty 15, rolling 1 lower.

Raymesin eyes the tracks on the ground, then the gate. "Well, given as that's where th'animal tracks're goin'," the tall man with the Lowers accent remarks, "That's prolly where we should be 'eaded, Mangata's son or not." He moves silently, sticking nearer to one or two he nodded to than most and pulling a scarf up over his mouth and nose.

Harper checked perception + survival at difficulty 15, rolling 15 higher.

Raymesin checked perception + survival at difficulty 15, rolling 6 higher.

Amantha checked perception + survival at difficulty 15, rolling 2 lower.

"Ah, right, the darkness." Asher ponders some, then turns to the group. "Anyone happen to have a spare torch?" Clearly he isn't always prepared for anything but he tries. "Best keep low, in the more... Eh... 'Flavored' sections. Tends to ignite the air."

Mae checked perception + survival at difficulty 15, rolling 20 higher.

Bashira checked perception + survival at difficulty 15, rolling 5 higher.

Denica murmers quietly between herself and Merek, her free hand waving wildly while her other holds the lantern rather high. "How do I shoot a bow with this?" Denica wonders, wrinkling her nose and nodding, still sticking close behind Coraline. An occasional glance is spared for Ian though she looks around, trying to keep her attention in front of her.


Wordlessly, Amantha hands her lantern over to Asher. Since he's offered to go first and all.

Caspian checked perception + survival at difficulty 15, rolling 8 higher.

Asher checked perception + survival at difficulty 15, rolling 11 higher.

"Yeah there's definitely some tracks outta place here," Harper eyes the ground, but only briefly as she lifts her eyes to look up and around instead. She turns around to look at the mural that Coraline mentioned then to the gate. With a shrug she follows Amantha and Coraline. A frown furrows her brows though as she says softly aside to Amantha, "You hearing any of that?"

Mae makes a little gasp, then quickly sidesteps. She'll put Raymesin between whatever she's heard and herself. Then her Very Ridiculous knife comes out.

Caspian wields Thrall's Fury, a diamondplate seax.

Mae wields A foot-long stiletto in rosy-hued rubicund with a hilt in woven green silk and capped with a pommel of desireous coral in the shape of a blooming rose.

Asher wields an elaborate diamondplate long-knife with a dragon motif.

Merek wields Torian Nightsong.

Bashira wields Sailor's Delight.

Merek frowns a bit at the preperations to enter, then he takes a moment to find some alchemical supplies, and starts mixing them. He then places them within a lantern and clicks a device, upon the premade lantern, the sparklegas coming to life like the lanterns that are around Arx. How curious! He holds it up and nods satisfied, handing it then to Ian, "This will remain an hour or so," he mentions.

Raymesin wields Blooded Blade.


Having handed off her lantern, Amantha turns her green eyes upon Harper, arching a brow in silent enquiry. "Any of wh-.." Then everyone around her is drawing their blades. And in her wisdom, she does the same.. though she's not entirely sure what has prompted it.

Amantha wields a light short sword with two wide quillons.

"An animal is near," Says Caspian to the group as he grabs his knife, drawing it out, the diamondplate in the moonlight.

Denica wields a rubicund recurve short bow with kraken inspired designs.

Bashira gives a look to the others they are with, noting the tallest among them because he's a good marker against the rest. She then gives a slow turn of her head when she hears the growls and things, "Those aren't good sounds." she tells the others, in case they didn't hear them. Then she's quickly unsheathing the rubicund blade from her hip and standing next to her brother.

As they pass by the mural and move on, Ian slips a flask out of an inner pocket of his coat, toasts it, and takes a drink. It's mid drink that he stops and angles his head a little bit, then looks around as he puts the drink away. "Don't think this is going to take more than an hour. That's a lot of animals. And more singing. Think she might have them chained, so that means dogs. Or dog-things."

Even before Mae gasps and moves, Raymesin is pulling a knife from the small of his back and turning; he ends up facing whichever direction Mae is hiding from behind him. He drops into a knife-fighter's crouch, ready and waiting.

Asher has received the lantern and marvels at it a bit. "Heard of these. Wonderful things, these, saved lives in the Siege, they did. I'll keep care of it." And since everyone else is readying for it, he pulls his knife to the ready. This may be... Horrible. Poor animals. They don't deserve this.

"Lets keep the volume down guys, we don't wanna give away we are here too early." Cora says just loud enough to be heard. "Fighters, get ready to defend non fighters."

Those that follow Coraline towards the mural walk a few hundred feet to do so. It is a painted mural against the partial back wall of a crumbling warehouse. What is left of it is a depiction of the goddess Mangata with her arms upraised, a sun held between them. Across the way from this mural is a shadowy looking warehouse that at first glance appears to be just as broken down as the others around it. On second glance it is far more complete, the walls are all intact, as is most of the roof. It is set a little ways off the road, in front of it an iron gate, that while rusted, seems sturdy enough. Beyond the gate, the warehouse has two sets of doors on either side of the large two storied building.

Reigna GM Roll checked luck(2) at difficulty 15, rolling 10 lower.

Using gestures, Cora indicates the ones who know traps should check these doors out, fighters near but out of the way if anything comes rushing out. She also indicates quiet to be kept as they get near the warehouse and thus audible to whoever might be inside.

Ian tugs his hideous scarf free and takes a moment to wrap it around his nose and mouth. He doesn't draw his sword yet, though. "Might have more success if we come in on both sides at once." He's keeping his voice down, oh yes, and canting his head a little to the side every now and again, as if listening.

Harper nods aside to Caspian but keeps her eyes on the surrounding area as she reaches down and pulls her sword out. She nods quietly over to Cora, but doesn't say a word more. A deep set frown shows on her face as the sounds become more definitive.

Reigna GM Roll checked perception(3) + streetwise(4) at difficulty 40, rolling 8 lower.


"It could just as easily be people..." Amantha offers, in response to Ian but for anyone listening. "The first afflicted with illness sounded like animals..." Her tone is kept suitably quiet, at Coraline's behest.

Denica clips the lantern to her backpack so she has both hands free for the bow, ready to make a move on something if it ever comes to it. There is a way to clip a lantern to a backpack right?

Mae's just standing there, sort of zoned out. Not exactly the best reaction to danger, but, hey! It's Mae. After a moment, she's scrunched up her nose. "Hm," she says, as if she's somehow learned something. But then Coraline's pointing for the door. So Mae? She shrugs, and starts that way!

Raymesin moves with Mae, apparently more than happy to guard her. Anyone would think it was part of his job, or something.

Asher is off towards one of the doors as well, at a quick but measured pace. He doesn't want to attract undue attention from sound, but with the lantern he might stand out a bit visually. Best to check the doors for anything untoward.

Mae checked dexterity + stealth at difficulty 35, rolling 14 higher.

Coraline checked dexterity + stealth at difficulty 35, rolling 5 lower.

Asher checked dexterity + stealth at difficulty 35, rolling 5 lower.

Seeing that Ian has a lantern, Merek hands the one with sparklegas to Denica. He shifts back his blade as he draws two daggers out and moves to assist in sneaking.

Raymesin checked dexterity + stealth at difficulty 35, rolling 15 lower.

Merek has rolled a critical success!
Merek checked dexterity + stealth at difficulty 35, rolling 0 higher.

Amantha checked dexterity + stealth at difficulty 35, rolling 13 lower.

Ian has rolled a critical success!
Ian checked dexterity + stealth at difficulty 35, rolling 12 higher.

As those who are trying to sneak over the gate go for it, Cora speaks softly, "Try to get it open for us, or give us a way to get in without putting yourselves in dnager. Do not put yourselves in danger." She then clomps out of the way, cause yeah plate.

a tiny man with a BIG unpronounceable name arrives, delivering a message to Asher before departing.

Merek checked dexterity + stealth at difficulty 15, rolling 35 higher.

Merek checked perception + survival at difficulty 15, rolling 15 higher.

Mae checked perception + survival at difficulty 15, rolling 21 higher.

Ian checked perception + survival at difficulty 15, rolling 27 higher.


Glancing about those who remain on her side of the gate, Amantha gestures toward the lock, green eyes enquiring. It's probably not the sort of thing a guard would ask, even silently. But.. unlocking it would certainly be easier for those in the heavier armors.

Merek holds up a hand to Ian and Mae, motions then moves to scout ahead as he does so. He shifts both his daggers to reverse blade while he does so.

Cora nods at Amantha's silent gesture, cause hey she don't judge and they do need inside. Perhaps one on the inside and one on the outside working at the gate will give access.

Ian isn't going ahead to scout or anything. Right now, he's looking at the hinges on the gate, one by one.

Bashira gives a look after those that head for the gate and then back to the those that stayed behind. She gives a look to Amantha and there's a soft shake of her head, she doesn't know how to pick locks sadly.

Mae is able to lightfoot it over the gate without more noise than a light breeze swaying the gate. As she begins looking for the way the gate is secured, and Merek and Ian are inspecting it from the far side, Asher attempts to take the gate and makes a rather profound amount of noise. It seems particularly loud given everyone's attempts to be so quiet. The response from within the warehouse is immediate. There is a roar of sound, various dogs howling and barking, an actual, terrifyingly loud roar, and not as loud, but just as angry, a screech of indignation.

Mae checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 30, rolling 20 higher.

Harper eyes the gate skeptically and stays back, keeping an eye out instead. She watches as some of the others make their way over to the gate. Shrugging at Amantha's quiet question, she just turns and watches their backs to make sure nothing sneaks up on them. She turns back quickly to look at the gate though as Asher makes all that noise and syping Mae on the other side of it alone, she gives her a worried frown.

Hearing the noise on the other side of the gate, and knowing people are over there, Cora slams her shoulder into the gate to get it open so that she can protect those on the other side.

When it looks like /anyone/ might be following her (that Asher, darn him), Mae glances over her shoulder, giving a 'really?' sort of look. She waits a moment, then proceeds. There's shadows that would envy Mae. She gets to the gate, then presses to the wall. She waits a moment, almost looking like /maybe/ she's done this before. Then she's eyeing the gate, considering for a moment, then looks back across the way. She waves, silently of course, then waits for Coraline's attention. She points at the latch, then flashes a thumbs up, a thumbs down, then lifts one palm face up, to give an exaggerated shrug. Like, what you want me do? ... Then comes a roar. Mae's eyes flash wide, and in an instant, she jumps left, kicks off the gate's frame, and then launches herself up onto the wall, and grabs ahold of a rock, then finds another to step on. Who's getting eaten by whatever's behind that door? Not Mae.

Having inspected the hinges and decided the gate's not going to squeal when it opens, Ian taps aside the stone that's holding it closed with his cane and opens the gate. Or dies, if there's a trap under there. Either way.


Shifting her weight, reaffirming the grip on the hilt of her blade, Amantha mutters aside toward Coraline and Harper, as the cacophony of sounds erupts from within the warehouse. "..one of those sounds -very- large.." She doesn't look scared, as such. But 'tense', on the Harrow, is probably just as bad. Her green eyes follow Mae as she scrambles up to a safer spot, higher up. Not a bad idea, that.

"Ian!" Mae hisses, from her vantage point. Like she might be able to hiss the man back in time ten seconds. No? No. So she quickly looks back over to the group, to Coraline in particular, then she gestures up. She's going up! Why? Hopefully for a good reason.

"The enemies should be split by those who can take them, we need to stay close to each other so that we present a wall between the enemy and those in our party who cannot fight. Nobody should move from the wall. This way Denica and those who can throw knives and such can pick of what they can without being in danger." Seeing Mae's gesture Cora nods, trusting the woman won't get herself hurt or killed.

Merek moves to a vantage while still sneaking, so that he can prepare for the foes that come. Not bothered about how the situation has turned it seems.

Denica grabs an arrow from her quiver, holding it fast between her fingers, but she doesn't draw the bow back yet, not while the enemy isn't yet in sight. Arrow held to the bowstring, ready to draw back, fingers tremble as she watches Coraline move off, drawing a breath, she keeps herself focused, as much as she can. "Gods, I just hope I'm able to shoot around you all..." she murmers in a nervous low voice.

Ian looks serene. Perfectly serene. This isn't the iron calm of someone suppressing their emotions; it's more relaxed than that. In fact, he looks more comfortable in his own skin and more at peace with the situation he's in right now than he ever does outside of combat. He scans the area with an incisive gaze, and changes his grip on his cane. There's a very soft mechanical click, and then an alaricite blade sings free from within. The 'sheathe' part he hangs onto, like a parrying dagger. "Won't be easy to avoid a flank attack if it's dogs." He sounds okay with that, too.

Raymesin moves to the now-open gate, linking up with the other combatants to form a wall of blades and other dangerous objects. With narrowed eyes and ready blade, the Lowers knifeman awaits the onslaught. After all, he had nothing better to do today.

Harper lets out a sigh of relief both at Mae scrambling out of the way so nimbly and at Ian opening the gate. Staying close to Amantha, she starts making her way toward the gate. She nods over to Cora and moves over to put herself between whatever is coming and the gate and form the wall that Cora instructed them to. She grins back at Denica, and says wryly, "Please don't shoot me in the back."

Bashira has been standing by her brother for the most part and watching the going ons. Then she hears those on the other side and there's a look to Caspian, "Stay here." she tells him. Then she's heading up towards the others.


Well. You never know. Stepping forward - beyond the semicircle of armored bodies - Amantha pulls a flask from within a hidden pocket, unstoppering it with her teeth as she moves. With a surprisingly steady hand, the redhead pours a careful line of water across the threshold of the gateway, from one post to the other, murmuring a few hushed words under her breath. Hey, everyone has their little rituals, rights? And an additional boundary, even if only in her own mind, can't hurt. That done, she tips the remnants of the water over the unremarkable blade she carries, before stowing the flask away again. Returning to her place in the 'wall', the Harrow flashes Asher a look sidelong, lifting and dropping her shoulders in a shrug.

Denica laughs, or tries to. It comes out more like a nervous cough than anything and she nods to Harper. "That's what I've been training for," Denica offers. "Gods..." she hears the incoming sounds, her grip on the bow tightening.

Nodding at Ian, Cora notes, "We will want to have eyes facing away from the action behind the wall. If we are attacked from the flank we need to have a plan, I should say half the wall needs to, in this case, cover the flank while the rest cover the spots emptied. I am hoping they aren't that clever." Cora notes, "And yes, lets not have friendly fire if possible." She notes to Denica with a wink, "You got this."

Asher has a bit of a time recovering from the fall as he made all that noise - but he's back on his feet and... Well, shit. There's the element of surprise. Luckily, he has a knife, and a flame - divine flame, no less. He's already up front, so it's a good idea for him to prepare for the attack - to get ready for anything. And hopefully, not get bitten. Or killed. At the moment, he says nothing, though. Waiting for the storm to break on them.

"Everyone will do fine I'm sure." Bashira states as she returns from placing Caspian somewhere that's not in the fight. Shocking turn of events. She listens to Coraline and she gives a dip of her head to the Princess. There's a clench of her jaw and then she settles into a stance to see what's coming.

The howling starts in earnest, growing louder and louder still. The doors on either side of the building burst outward as animals boil out of the building. These are dogs. Right? Yes. Probably. Maybe. It is hard to say just how many there are, or what, exactly, they are. Uniformly large, at least over a hundred and fifty pounds, with one, small, terrier-sized exception. Most of them are missing chunks of their ears, most of their fur, their spines knotted under their scabby skin, ribs protruding, gums bleeding and weeping copious amounts of drool. Tails like whips slash side to side as they jump and claw over one another in their haste to reach the wall of armor and steel they are mindlessly charging for.

Most of the animals are deformed in some fashion, large tumors have grown through their skins, weeping fluid and blood, partially growing over noses and eyes, creating enormous muscle mass unevenly through their bodies, giving their movements an uneven and rocking rhythm.

Coraline checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 25, rolling 37 higher.

Harper checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 25, rolling 25 higher.

Mae drops COMBAT TURN ORDER.

"Here we go boys and girls, remember, protect each other and those behind, ranged fighters, pick your shots." Sword at the ready, Cora is all focus, choosing the ones that will feel her blade first but not moving forward, no she stays in the wall. As the animals attack Cora slices at the first animal but clearly only wounds, enough to draw blood but the thing is still moving, very much not dead.

Merek checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 25, rolling 35 higher.

Mae checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 20, rolling 12 higher.

Ian wields Heavy Cane.

Merek sheaths both his daggers then draws his diamondplate from his back sheath. He shifts forward upon his hip to cleave into one of the creatures, though his weapon shifts upwards against skin as it does, hurting it, but not killing it. He then twirls his weapon around while he moves.

Harper gets a determined look on her face as that diseased mass of animals comes tearing toward them, with a loudly spoken, "Aww, hell!" Meeting one of the leaders with her sword, she swings hard and connects. Drawing blood and leaving a good gash, she stands steady and prepares to hold the wall.

Bashira checked dexterity + small wpn at difficulty 25, rolling 5 higher.

Asher checked dexterity + small wpn at difficulty 25, rolling 31 higher.

Amantha checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 25, rolling 8 higher.

Ian checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 25, rolling 6 higher.

Raymesin checked dexterity + small wpn at difficulty 25, rolling 29 higher.

Denica checked dexterity + archery at difficulty 25, rolling 17 higher.

With a single, well-calculated step, Ian puts himself between Denica and the onslaught. He brings his sword around at one of the dogs that's coming in a motion almost like he's flicking it away. The tip of the impossibly sharp blade leaves a red line behind.


Though she lacks the brutal strength or graceful finesse of some of the others, Amantha makes up for it with a can-do attitude. Her blade lands, though it's more of a scrape than a genuine slice; drawing a yip from the dog.. creature.. thing.

Bashira's not really afraid of much. So the Shaman takes a swing at the first thing that comes near her. She manages to hit, but it's not the worst hit of the group, but it's a gash. She gives a look to the target in front of them and then a wrinkle of her nose. This was going to be a rough fight.

Where's Mae? Who knows. She's over the wall and onto the roof and disappears from sight.

Denica manages to steady her hands just long enough for the arrow to fly true, striking the dog, the arrow leaving a long gash into it's side. She draws a deep, shuddering breath and she nods her head slowly, readying her next shot, aiming carefully.

Raymesin's knife soon has blood on more than just the sharpened edges, the tall man using the advantage his reach gives him to counter the disadvantage of the smaller weapon. He gets in a good hit while he's at it.

Reigna GM Roll checked dexterity(4) + brawl(2) at difficulty 15, rolling 15 higher.

Reigna GM Roll checked dexterity(4) + brawl(2) at difficulty 15, rolling 38 higher.

Reigna GM Roll checked dexterity(4) + brawl(2) at difficulty 15, rolling 7 higher.

Reigna GM Roll checked dexterity(4) + brawl(2) at difficulty 15, rolling 5 higher.

Reigna GM Roll checked dexterity(4) + brawl(2) at difficulty 15, rolling 33 higher.

Reigna GM Roll checked dexterity(4) + brawl(2) at difficulty 15, rolling 32 higher.

Reigna GM Roll checked dexterity(4) + brawl(2) at difficulty 15, rolling 39 higher.

Reigna GM Roll checked dexterity(4) + brawl(2) at difficulty 15, rolling 30 higher.

Reigna GM Roll checked dexterity(4) + brawl(2) at difficulty 15, rolling 17 higher.

Reigna GM Roll checked dexterity(4) + brawl(2) at difficulty 15, rolling 14 higher.

Reigna GM Roll checked dexterity(4) + brawl(2) at difficulty 15, rolling 3 higher.

Reigna GM Roll checked dexterity(4) + brawl(2) at difficulty 15, rolling 30 higher.

Reigna GM Roll checked dexterity(4) + brawl(2) at difficulty 15, rolling 25 higher.

Reigna GM Roll checked dexterity(4) + brawl(2) at difficulty 15, rolling 12 higher.

Reigna GM Roll checked dexterity(4) + brawl(2) at difficulty 15, rolling 31 higher.

Asher's blade carves into one of the dogs and... Ew. Oh god, these things are like decaying filth but walking! He's so glad that he is wearing that mask, and armor all over. It'll need to be cleaned later. Or replaced.

Reigna GM Roll checked dexterity(4) + brawl(2) at difficulty 15, rolling 19 higher.

65 inflicted and Coraline is harmed for minor damage.

65 inflicted and Harper is harmed for serious damage.

69 inflicted and Merek is harmed for serious damage.

31 inflicted and Asher is harmed for minor damage.

33 inflicted and Bashira is harmed for moderate damage.

68 inflicted and Ian is harmed for serious damage.

19 inflicted and Raymesin is unharmed.

They come in a wave of furious snapping, clawing, shredding, gnashing and drool. There is a wall of fetid, filthy and enraged flesh and teeth, biting, clawing and wipping their bony tails at anyone they can reach. Four of them pile onto Cora, but are mostly thwarted by her steel armor. Harper is less lucky, her two attackers sinking their fangs deep into her leg and shaking hard, trying and failing to get her on the ground. Merek too takes an attack from two vicious dogs, one of them the terrier, but that doesn't mean his teeth aren't sharp. Asher and Bashira handle their own, but Ian charged by three of the beasts, if mauled fairly badly. Raymesin only has one attacking him, and it bounces off his armor.

Coraline checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 25, rolling 21 higher.

Harper checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 35, rolling 26 higher.

Mae checked dexterity + stealth at difficulty 25, rolling 40 higher.

Glad she is in steel Cora moved in front of Amantha and took on 4 attacks, ignoring what damage was done she then slices at that same dog thing as she attacked the first time, her sword severing one leg. That done, and seeing Harper having been hit hard, Cora moves to protect her next so that her fellow Solace can kick the snot out of something without fear of damage.

Merek checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 25, rolling 12 higher.

Harper grunts hard and has to struggle to keep her leg from crumpling under her as she takes a couple of vicious bites. Managing to stay on her feet, she takes a slightly more defensive approach this time, using her blade to deflect the teeth of one of the beats but finding an opening to swing at it's neck she does so. Her sword bites deep, leaving a deep cut that blood is pouring out of so quickly that it's apparent it will likely bleed out in short order.

Bitten, but it doesn't hurt too bad. Asher's had worse stabs in bar fights. Though he's likely to get sick at this point. Damn... However, Harper looks like she's getting a lot worse. Coraline is moving over to protect Harper, and so Asher is able to focus on the two on him... Ah, damn. Ian has three on him. There's a swear aloud from Asher, and he feints to try to get the dogs off himself, or at least distracted a split second, and he's then heading over to tackle at least one of the big ones on Ian. With his knife. To the dog's face.

Amantha checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 25, rolling 16 higher.

Bashira checked dexterity + small wpn at difficulty 25, rolling 28 higher.

Asher checked dexterity + small wpn at difficulty 25, rolling 15 higher.

Merek is ripped into and blood drips from his wounds. He then shifts his weapon and comes around again to the same and takes a piece of them with his blade. He is flanking them from behind, not with the main group, so not much to do with that. He looks at the creatures from beneath his hood, "Listen, whoever is doing all these things, I hope you have enough mercy to ask them to BACK OFF!" he exclaims. Well, it is worth the try.

Ian checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 35, rolling 3 lower.

Raymesin checked dexterity + small wpn at difficulty 25, rolling 11 higher.

Denica checked dexterity + archery at difficulty 25, rolling 29 higher.

Bashira hisses something out in Isles Shav when she's bitten, but she manages to shake the dogs off and doesn't take time to look at her wounds, because she'd do that later. She fixes her gaze on the one that she'd been facing off with a moves to the left in a crouch and when it springs she rushes forward, catching the creature between the ribs and catching something vital as blood slicks her hands. It lands with a thud, but it's still moving.


Seeing Coraline moving, quite rightly, to defend Harper, Amantha stays close nonetheless to the Princess' shoulder, scything a slice through the air and knocking back one would-be attacker. The dog thing bounces back a step or two, growling, and the redhead bares her own teeth right back at him; a lump of flesh - ear? tongue? Tumor? - falls with a wet *plop* from her blade to the ground by her booted toe.

Ian fends off the dogs on him with limited success. He brings his sword around to put it between one of the dogs and Denica, and almost winds up falling because he apparently did not notice that one of them is chewing on his lower leg. The teeth are unlikely to get through the mix of thick leather and diamondplate braces, but the thing's bite strength is not insignificant. He looks back now with a flash of annoyance, and shakes that leg a little bit.

Raymesin twists when one of the dogs goes for him; he manages to slam the thing to the side with his knee before it can sink its jaws into him, but that puts his next attack at a disadvantage. The bloody blade does still score the dog, though, and it's not a bad hit. Just not a good one, either.

Taking a deeper breath before she takes this next shot, Denica lets the arrow fly. She watches as the arrow finds a firm home right in the jaw of one, and with a short yelp, the dog drops, and she breathes out a short sigh of relief. It's a short lived relief, however and she's quick to draw back again, trying her best to take out Ian's attackers.

Reigna GM Roll checked dexterity(4) + brawl(2) at difficulty 15, rolling 33 higher.

Reigna GM Roll checked dexterity(4) + brawl(2) at difficulty 15, rolling 15 higher.

Reigna GM Roll checked dexterity(4) + brawl(2) at difficulty 15, rolling 8 higher.

56 inflicted and Coraline is harmed for minor damage.

Reigna GM Roll checked dexterity(4) + brawl(2) at difficulty 15, rolling 23 higher.

Reigna GM Roll checked dexterity(4) + brawl(2) at difficulty 15, rolling 18 higher.

41 inflicted and Merek is unharmed.

Reigna GM Roll checked dexterity(4) + brawl(2) at difficulty 15, rolling 20 higher.

Reigna GM Roll checked dexterity(4) + brawl(2) at difficulty 15, rolling 3 higher.

23 inflicted and Asher is unharmed.

Reigna GM Roll checked dexterity(4) + brawl(2) at difficulty 15, rolling 24 higher.

24 inflicted and Bashira is unharmed.

Reigna GM Roll checked dexterity(4) + brawl(2) at difficulty 15, rolling 32 higher.

32 inflicted and Amantha is unharmed.

The tide is not-so subtly turning this round as our heroes, battered and bleeding, many of them, turn their weapons on the animals with crushing devastation. A number of the beasts fall to the ground, crawling away as they die, a few others bounce backwards in the wake of terrible blows, yelping. From inside the warehouse there is a scream of rage, "GET THEM! KILL THEM! KILL, KILL!" There is a creak as some boards on the wall shift, partially but not fully lowering. As it does, however there is a loud, horrifying roar, and a stench that is quite likely the worst, ever, comes rolling out of the crack in the wall.

Asher's blade basically guts one of the dogs, spilling its innards to the ground. Ew. This is a battle, to be fair, but that's more digusting than normal. Asher? He smells the herbs and spices in the beak. Thank the Gods he had the foresight. As for Ian? Well, the man that Asher attempted to defend had aims on defending someone else... So the dogs that were on Ian, are now on him. Well that's just peachy. Luckily they're not getting a good grip on him.

Coraline checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 25, rolling 25 higher.

Harper checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 25, rolling 25 higher.

Merek checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 25, rolling 6 higher.

Merek is not that far from the warehouse being on the other side of the foe, then he drives his weapon into the terrier and kills it, but not before it tries to bite him along with the other, getting his armor. He shifts around his sword, and looks to the warehouse, blood dripping from the gashes he has, "Killing is not the answer, tell us why you're doing this!"

Once more shaking off the attempts at attack from the creatures, and seeing Amantha didn't get a single scratch, Cora continues to protect Harper as she swipes at one of the creatures attacking which.....explodes ew. Gross rotten flesh bits go everywhere and there will be definite cleaning needed doing. "Denica did I mention that squires clean their knight's armor? You're welcome." She says laughing as she uses her sword to kill nasty diseased things.

With Coraline keeping them off of her, Harper uses the advantage to move, even if it is a slightly hobbled movement. She uses her momentum to swing down hard on the back of one of the beasts, causing it to pop like a ripe melon, sending gore spraying.

Bashira checked dexterity + small wpn at difficulty 25, rolling 36 higher.

There is a scream of pure rage from inside the warehouse that ends on a note of pain. In response to the scream, that roar sounds again, and there is a hammering of something large and epically heavy bashing against that partially opened wall. The wood panels shake and shiver and dust falls as the wood creaks. There is no much time left before that thing falls open.

Denica checked dexterity + archery at difficulty 25, rolling 1 higher.

Ian checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 25, rolling 45 higher.

Amantha checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 25, rolling 6 higher.

Raymesin checked dexterity + small wpn at difficulty 25, rolling 29 higher.

Asher checked dexterity + small wpn at difficulty 25, rolling 28 higher.

Bashira gives a growl when another of the dogs try to latch onto her, but thankfully they get a mouth full of leather and nothing more. The Shaman plants her blade behind the dogs ear in a very soft spot, driving it deep, then ripping the blade free with a rush of blood. The dog takes off with a yelp and runs off with a new rush of energy. But it's clear with that injury it's going to bleed out somewhere.

Well, Denica's arrow flies once more, though her focus seems to be waning a bit, nerves getting the better of her as she cries out, letting that arrow fly true and her eyes going wide at the increasing carnage, the yelping of dogs, and yet, when the arrow gently grazes against it's target, the dog jumps back and manages to topple itself over on top of another dog.

Now that the dog that was hanging onto Ian's leg is dead (courtesy of Denica), Ian is able to actually move without falling. He had managed to ward off one of the dogs by jamming the shaft of his cane into its mouth, and now he steps in, and there's a moment of subtle maneuvering as he positions the dog exactly where he wants it, before he sweeps his sword in a graceful arc that slashes clean through the throat of the dog Asher was protecting him from, and ends up jammed into the first dog's throat. A shove from the shaft of the cane, still in the lifeless dog's mouth, frees his blade again.

Raymesin waits for his moment, then drives his knife into one of the dogs' jaws. His own teeth bare in a feral grin as the knife penetrates deep; the dog jerks and stops moving, and Raymesin applies his boot to pull the blade from the now-deceased dog. It's a brutally-efficient style of combat.


As the dog-creature lurches toward her again, Amantha readjusts her stance. Loosing a harsh sound of exertion, the redhead slams the pommel of her sword against the side of the thing's head in a backhanded blow. A sickening, squishy crunch punctuates the impact as its skull caves in, weakened no doubt by the disease afflicting it.. and there's n audible "Urgh.." of disgust from the guardswoman as she's left with mushy, splattered brain-gloop all over her hand; her upper lip curling back from her teeth in a grimace.

Ian seems capable of handling himself, though... Really, Asher needs to not think of other people at the moment. He's got dogs on him, biting and trying to tear through his armor! One of the two even lunges at him, and he does catch the beast, almost falling over - but the knife in his hand is deft, and it goes around the back of the creature. With a quick cut, it severs the beast's spine. Bad dog! No biscuit.

Reigna GM Roll checked strength(5) + brawl(2) at difficulty 20, rolling 17 higher.

A messenger arrives, delivering a message to Richard before departing.

The walls trembles and shakes under the force of the pounding it is taking. It creeps open a little more, showing glimpses of something truly, horribly massive behind it. The wall shakes, THUMP THUMP and with a groan and splintering of wood, the panel shifts, and there is is. That? That is a freaking bear. Patches of its fur are gone, it has open sores along the bare swatches of skin, one of its ears is missing, one eye is a mass of red with white wriggling maggots. And it is MAD. It roars, copious amounts of spittle and drool stringing out in front of it as he lunges forward, struggling to free itself from the partial prison it is in the process of breaking out of. The remaining dog sticks it's nake tail between its legs and begins slinking away, trying to run. It wants NO part of that thing.

Sir Pupsalot, a polite, tri-color corgi, Captain Curls, an attentive, ebony guard poodle arrive, following Tessa.

Sir Pupsalot, a polite, tri-color corgi, Captain Curls, an attentive, ebony guard poodle leave, following Tessa.

Mae gets Fiery Pepper Heat from a bright blue messenger bag.

Just when the really ugly bear roars, about then Richard arrives. Not saying anything at the moment. Just moving towards the group. If he thinks the bear is disgusting he doesn't show. Instead he gets his mace ready. Rather then launch himself into an attack, which might not be a smart idea, he instead proceeds to flank the beast from the side that has maggots in its eyes. But he does so slowly, purposely. There was more strength in numbers, and Richard was no fool. Thus he approaches with wary steps. Remaining silent but quite serious about the current issue. He will attempt to attack the beast when it is distracted. As such he remains at a distance that he can react to the beast if it charges.

Richard wields Searing Light.

Coraline checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 15, rolling 41 higher.

"Right, lets get it before it gets free. We need to do as much damage as we can before it can really fight back! Denica take out the dog!." Cora calls as she does a flying leap to that one apparently functioning eye to try and blind it fully.

Harper checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 15, rolling 24 higher.

In addendum Cora managed to hit it but no idea how much damage was done.

Harper hop-skips her way after Cora, then angles herself for an attack on the creature, as Coraline ordered. Pulling her sword back she swings as hard as she can, but it's very hard to tell if the creature even felt it. Not much damage can be seen on the immense creature from the wound.

Merek checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 15, rolling 22 higher.

Merek moves to shift his weapon and slash towards the bear, then he notices the gate shifting upon its head. He blinks a bit, but takes this as he twirls his weapon and then moves once more back to move from range.

From inside the warehouse a horrifically misshapen woman can be seen in part, blocked by the rubble of the wall, and shadow, her seems to have an enormous hand pinned to the crumbled wall and she is screaming in pain as Mae, who is emerging from the shadows sprays something in the woman's face that seems to bring an intense pain. Mae moves in and messes with a lever that results in a massive gate falling down and pinning the bear to the ground by the neck. If it was mad before? It is now REALLY pissed.

Bashira checked dexterity + small wpn at difficulty 10, rolling 36 higher.

Ian settles into what almost looks like a relaxed posture, the tip of his sword dipping lazily. He's hurt, but not enough to show it; he still seems at peace. A small step once again positions him between the (pinned) bear and Denica, while he keeps an eye on the dog. He says something to Denica in a low voice.

"Looks like you're in a bit of a tight spot!" comes a small woman's voice from inside. It's followed by giggles. Mae's obviously enjoying herself.

Asher has rolled a critical success!
Asher checked dexterity + athletics at difficulty 20, rolling 62 higher.

Bashira gives a bit of a blink to the bear and then the raven haired woman is rushing forward, the red steel of her blade flashing as she stabs the bear in the side of the face and opens it up. Revealing muscle and jawbone. She gives a snort to Mae, "Stop having fun!" she laughs as she pulls her blade free.

Asher checked dexterity + small wpn at difficulty 25, rolling 37 higher.

Richard checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 10, rolling 21 higher.

Amantha checked dexterity + medium wpn at difficulty 10, rolling 25 higher.

Denica checked dexterity + archery at difficulty 15, rolling 15 higher.

Asher isn't about to let that dog go. A crazed hag of old tales and such, or a bear... Yeah, Asher doesn't mess around with legendary beings, nor does he do bears. With a dagger that's a bit out of the question at the moment. But that dog? Oh yes. Yes, he'll salute Amantha, state "Quarantine!", and dash off towards the beast. Ye -Gods- he's fast. He's to the dog in mere moments and that blade of his, diamondplate, is sinking into the beast's hide... It has a heart, right? Presumably where it should be on a dog? Well, that's where Asher is so very obviously aiming.

Raymesin checked dexterity + small wpn at difficulty 15, rolling 37 higher.

As the others attack the bear, Richard moves now to attack it while its pinned, he lowers his body slightly as he moves in for the moment of its attack. Soon as he is in close quarter distance, he performs a short leap, to increase the strength of his attack. Holding his mace with both hands to make sure the strike is as strong as possible, right at the bear's cranium. An attempt to shatter its skull with his mace.


Well. That certainly puts a different slant on things. Blinking as the bear is effectively pinned and the woman presumably at the center of all this is - at least partially - revealed, the Harrow regains her composure swiftly enough. A few lengthy strides carry her forward, just as Asher salutes her and charges off after the escaping hound. In a rare moment of expession, the redhead grins broadly at the Grayhope in passing, never breaking gait. Upon reaching the flailing bear, timing it to -avoid- Richard's leap and swing, the guardswoman takes her time and aims a vicious blow at the animal's jaw, swiping it clean off, shearing it down to the bone. A roar, unsurprisingly, follows this macabre act.. and leaves the tall redhead spattered with a gorey spray of blood, from top to toe.

Raymesin moves his bloody knife into his left hand, then pulls a black blade from somewhere in his leathers. He flips it, then lets it fly at the pinned woman over whom Mae is cackling. Dishonourable? Maybe. Effective? Definitely. The black knife sinks deep into the expanded, deformed flesh on her left side. She jerks forward and screams before she starts spasming.

Denica screams! The bear has got to be the worst thing that Denica has ever seen. She trembles for a few moments before she remembers the bow in her hand, and she had been about to take aim at the bear, until hearing Coraline's order. Denica for a moment wrinkled her nose in confusion, only the briefest hesitation before she nods and takes aim at the last dog. "Well, you heard the woman," Denica murmurs, of course this is before Ian murmurs something and Asher assures that the dog is no longer a problem. She shifts her aim to the shieking, deformed woman. She unleashes the arrow and it slams into the deformed left side of her, the arrow catching into her thigh. The woman crying out once more, Denica wincing as she readies a new arrow.

Merek checked composure at difficulty 15, rolling 10 higher.

Reigna GM Roll checked strength(5) + athletics(3) at difficulty 15, rolling 45 higher.

So the bear is REALLY REALLY mad. It's been pinned by this gate and all these annoying people are stabbing it and really, really it's had enough. With a massive effort, the animal shifts it's stance and throws itself upwards. The gate creaks and rises as the bear pushes its shoulders through and starts inching out of the cage. This act takes up the rest of its strength, and before it gets more than halfway loose, it slumps down, one good eye rolling back in its head as, with a burble of blood and drool, it dies.

The woman is spasming, and would fall to the ground, but her large hand is pinned to the wall. Though as she slumps, the weight of her body has the knife pinning her hand, slicing through it instead. She hits the ground driving the knife and arrow deeper into her body, and the bisected hand is hemorrhaging blood.

Coraline checked intellect + medicine at difficulty 25, rolling 1 higher.

"Do not kill her!" Cora yells as she begins running to the woman, "We need her information, there may be more people being tortured elsewhere!" She immediately pulls out spare bit of cloth and begins putting pressure on the rip in the hand. "Someone check for anything else out to kill us, try and save any people you see but don't get yourselves hurt in the process."

Ian fishes a cloth out of his bag and uses it to wipe down the alaricite blade in his hand. Nevermind that he himself is spattered with a spray of blood from the two throats he cut. That hideous scarf, still wrapped around the lower half of his face, has protected his face from it, however, so there's that. The scarf's got a new layer of ugly on it, though. And he'll probably have to have his armor professionally cleaned. Again. He looks around, but is continuing to stay near Denica.

Harper sees the bear go down and slumps up against the wall of the building, panting. Giving a look around to make sure nothing else seems to be coming at them, she hop skips her way to someplace where she can sit and start looking over her leg to see what damage has been done. She glances over as Coraline goes running in to check on the woman, calling over, "She gonna live?"

Denica runs along, following Coraline. "Tortured?" Denica repeats. "I don't... should we be looking for people? Just... be careful with her, Cora. We don't know what she's capable of!" Denica bites her lip and looks around then, perhaps forcing Ian to try to keep pace.

Miranda arrives, following Faruq.

Mae yelps, as arrows and knives are flying in near her. "Same team, same team!" she shouts, as she jumps backwards. Then when it's clear she's not the target, and that woman is just being brutalized, Mae just puts her hands on her hips and shakes her head. "See? I wasn't going to kill you, but-..." And Coraline is rushing inside, so Mae just flashes a smile. "Hey gang... don't mind the smell?" she says. The stench is overpowering. "There's a few people in the cages. No sure if they're rabid or not... Her work bench is over there..."

Miranda leaves, following Faruq.

With the bear dead and the woman well, not dead but mercifully unconscious the horror of this place is fully revealed. Inside the building -- the stench of which cannot be overstated, are feces covered pens, and in the back? There are about twenty human husks, chained to the walls of their cages, shackled at the wrist and ankle. Upon inspection, six are dead, leaving fourteen in various states of illness.

Getting one of the lanterns Cora heats her dagger until it is red hot and begins cauterizing the hand wound, her expression is entirely blank, not showing a sign of if the smell or anything else is bothering her. Once that is done she wraps it in the cloth to protect the fresh burns. "Someone will need to check that workbench for papers, we need to know what she did and why. The people are probably infected, if they are attacking then knock them out but do not kill them."

Merek watches as the bear is taken on and lifts his brow, sheathing his weapon. He does seem a bit on edge, but then he moves to assist Coraline with the woman, taking some healing supplies from his belt, salves as well as some tannin bandages. H does look to the back of the warehouse and swallows with a shiver. He makes sure the woman is going to survive with Cora, and next moves to the back of the room to assist the others, sending a messenger to get Guards. He's still bleeding, but he doesn't really focus on it.


While she may not make for much of a pretty picture at this exact moment, the back of one hand brought to wipe at her brow and unthinkingly smearing crimson across her skin with the motion, Amantha seems returned to her usual, almost unnerving calm. Heading immediately toward Harper as her fellow guardswoman takes to a seat, the Harrow nods aside regardless as she overhears Denica, answering in an even tone. "She was experimenting on people, too.. that's how all this started.." Dropping to a knee beside Harper, the woman then simply focuses on the task of binding up that leg, for now. A better inspection can be done at the clinic.

Ian snaps his cane into the sheathe when Denica takes off, and follows. He can move at a decent clip, but doesn't -- possibly can't -- run. Either way, he's not far behind her. The general stink of the scarf is a fight fire with fire sort of strategy to deal with the stench. He's bailed out bilges before, so this is tolerable.

Denica checked willpower at difficulty 7, rolling 3 lower.

10 inflicted and Merek is harmed for minor damage.

Raymesin shifts his bloody knife back to his right hand, then makes his way over towards Mae. He glances around the place, but makes no move to help those who were here already - living or dead. He just pulls a rag from somewhere in his clothing and starts to clean off his blade while he waits for the other to be returned, just leaning against the wall.

Asher is heading back after taking care of the dog - poor thing, were it not diseased and such, it would have made a good companion. But, all the same, he's back - with only a single bite on him that's worth any mention. But he's fine. Just covered in gore. Ew. "Oh good, the bear's down. Are we all set, then? Thought that would be more difficult." A small pause. "...Not that it wasn't difficult, of course. I thought it would be moreso."

Bashira gives a look to the dead bear and then the Shaman puts a hand on it's head, "I'm sorry." she tells the creature. Then she gives a look around and things are...done. That's a wild ride. Then she's heading after Coraline and the others to see what's going on and what she can help with.

Denica comes into the room where everybody is in the cages, observing the full horror of what they were fighting for in the first place, and upon the scent hitting her, she falls to her knees, retching as she quite fully loses her lunch.

Bashira is overheard praising Reigna: For being awesome!

Merek checked wits + medicine at difficulty 20, rolling 10 higher.

Harper grins at Amantha, but the grin quickly turns to a wince as she works on binding up her leg. She grits out, "Thanks, 'Mantha. Is it just bruises or did it break skin? Sure as hell hoping for bruises." She sits still and lets Amantha work though.

"Anyone need tending to, before we start moving the, uh-..." Mae gestures further back into the room. "It's not Abyssal, if that helps you any, Coraline," Mae says, offhandedly. And Mae? She's getting /out/ of the stink warehouse.